Rights watchdogs publish data noting record levels of anti-Muslim hate incidents and hate speeches in various countries
Clarion India
NEW YORK — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday there was a “disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry” around the world while urging online tech platforms to curb hate speech and harassment.
Guterres’ video message came ahead of the International Day to combat Islamophobia.
Rights groups around the world and the United Nations have noted a rise in anti-Muslim hate, anti-Arab bias and anti-Semitism since the start of Israel’s devastating military assault on Gaza following Hamas’s deadly October 7, 2023, attack.
“We are witnessing a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry. From racial profiling and discriminatory policies that violate human rights and dignity, to outright violence against individuals and places of worship,” the UN chief said, without mentioning any specific country or government.
“Online platforms must curb hate speech and harassment. And we must all speak out against bigotry, xenophobia and discrimination.”
Rights advocates have for years raised concerns about stigma faced by Muslims and Arabs because of how some people conflate those communities with militant groups.
At present, many pro-Palestinian activists, including in Western nations such as the United States, have complained and say that their advocacy for Palestinian rights is wrongly labelled by their critics as support for “terrorism”.
In recent weeks, rights watchdogs have published data noting record levels of anti-Muslim hate incidents and hate speeches in countries such as the UK, the US and India, among others. The governments of those countries, however, say they aim to combat all forms of discrimination.
Many Governments have taken steps to combat Islamophobia by establishing anti-hate-crime legislation and measures to prevent and prosecute hate crimes and by conducting public awareness campaigns about Muslims and Islam designed to dispel negative myths and misconceptions.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution sponsored by 60 Member-States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which designated 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
The document stresses that terrorism and violent extremism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation, or ethnic group. It calls for a global dialogue on the promotion of a culture of tolerance and peace, based on respect for human rights and for the diversity of religions and belief. — With npits from Reuters
