Hate speech such as Muslimophobia – including on the internet – has become one of the most common means of spreading divisive rhetoric on a global scale, he said. It threatens peace around the world, UN chief Guterres said.
(IPS) – As a result, mistrust, discrimination and “open hatred” against Muslims have reached “epidemic proportions.” These are not the words of Muslims and committed human rights activists, but of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
Photo: CLAIM Berlin
Report on the World Day of Muslim Hostility
A recent report released ahead of the World Day to Combat Islamophobia (15 March) warns that Muslimophobia (motivated by institutional, ideological, political and religious hostility that spills over into structural and cultural racism) targets the symbols and markers of being Muslim.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution by members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on 15 March. This underlines that “terrorism and violent extremism cannot – and should not – be associated with any religion, nationality, culture or ethnic group.”
This definition emphasises the link between institutional levels of Muslim hostility as well as the manifestation of such attitudes. They are triggered by the visibility of the perceived Muslim identity of their victims.
Photo: Sandra Sanders, Shutterstock
Massive repression in some states
In states where they are in the minority, “Muslims are often discriminated against in access to goods and services, in finding employment and in education.” In some countries, they are denied citizenship or legal immigration status because they are perceived as a threat to internal security and terrorism.
The United Nations adds that Muslim women are disproportionately targeted in Islamophobic hate crimes.
In response to the “alarming trend” of increasing aggression worldwide, Guterres unveiled the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action. This clearly states that hate speech incites violence and intolerance.
The devastating consequences of hate are unfortunately nothing new, it continues. However, its scale and impact are amplified by modern communication technologies.
