NEW YORK — UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday called for stronger action to combat discrimination and prejudice against Muslims worldwide, warning that anti-Muslim hatred continues to threaten social cohesion and human rights.
In a message marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Guterres said the world’s nearly two billion Muslims represent diverse cultures and societies across the globe, reflecting the richness of human diversity.
However, he noted that Muslims often face institutional discrimination, social and economic exclusion, and biased migration policies, as well as unjustified surveillance and profiling. Such practices, he said, are frequently fueled by hostile rhetoric and open expressions of hatred that can escalate into harassment or violence targeting individuals and places of worship.
Guterres urged governments to take concrete steps to counter hate speech, protect freedom of religion, and ensure full compliance with international human rights law. He also called on digital platforms to address online harassment and hate speech directed at individuals on the basis of religion or belief.
The UN chief reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to equality, human rights, and human dignity, stressing that everyone has a responsibility to speak out against intolerance, xenophobia and discrimination wherever they occur.
The UN General Assembly established the International Day to Combat Islamophobia in 2022, choosing March 15 to commemorate the victims of the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand, which killed 51 people and injured dozens, and to raise global awareness about the dangers of anti-Muslim hatred. — SANA
