Introductory Statement delivered by
Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN, New York
15th March 2022
New York
Mr. President,
On behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), I have the honor to introduce the draft resolution on “International Day to Combat Islamophobia” contained in the document (A/76/L.41) tabled under the agenda item 16 on “Culture of Peace”.
Mr. President,
2. In my national capacity I can say that Prime Minister Imran Khan has repeatedly called for international attention and efforts to address Islamophobia.
Islamophobia is a reality. Its manifestations - hate speech, discrimination, and violence against Muslims- are proliferating in several parts of the world. Such acts of discrimination, hostility and violence towards Muslim individuals and communities constitute grave violations of their human rights and violate their freedom of religion and belief. They also cause great anguish within the Islamic world.
3. In his dedicated report on the issue of Islamophobia last year, the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief stated that “Since 9/11 terrorist attacks, institutional suspicion and fear of Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim has escalated to “epidemic proportions”. In such climates of exclusion, fear and distrust, Muslims often feel stigma, negative stereotyping and shame and a sense that they are ‘suspect communities’ that are being forced to bear collective responsibility for the actions of a small minority.
4. The spread of Islamophobia, both in terms of the phenomenon’s momentum and outreach, is particularly alarming these days, for it has emerged as a new form of racism characterized by xenophobia, negative profiling and stereotyping of Muslims.
5. The rise in hate crimes against Muslims both offline and online, as well as discrimination in education, citizenship, immigration, employment, housing and healthcare sector, among others are well documented. The gender aspect of Islamophobia is also gaining prominence, with girls and women being targeted due to mode of their dress and the general notion that Muslim women are oppressed and thus must be liberated.
6. What indeed is worrisome is that Islamophobia continues to find strong resonance in political spheres, ultimately leading to the institutionalization of Islamophobia through new legislation and policies such as discriminatory travel bans and visa restrictions. Various academic studies have revealed that Islamophobia is most visible in the media and in the discourse of far-right political parties and groups who tend to exploit and build on the general fear of Islam for electoral gains.
7. In some countries, anti-immigration and anti-refugee rhetoric has taken an anti-Muslim overtone and have often become the central theme of political campaigns. It is also noted with grave concern that several media outlets continue to propagate fear and negative stereotypes against Islam and Muslims, notably by acting as a platform for widespread dissemination of anti-Muslim rhetoric.
8. Despite its pervasive impacts, Islamophobia remains poorly understood and discussions on how to address the impacts are often fraught and complex. It seems essential to promote greater information of this phenomena and promote solutions through greater understanding and full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
9. Noticing this disturbing global trend, numerous UN officials, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations, High Commissioner on Human Rights, several Special Rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council and world leaders have underscored the importance of collectively addressing the problem of Islamophobia in recent years.
Mr. President,
10. The OIC’s obligation to address the phenomenon of Islamophobia stems directly from the Charter of the Organization. The Islamic Summit Conference at its third extraordinary session in Makkah stressed the necessity to combat hate and fear of Islam and Muslims.
11. In the aftermath of the deadly attack on two mosques in 2019, the 47th Session of the OIC Foreign Ministers in Niamey adopted a resolution calling for designation of 15 March as the ‘International Day to Combat Islamophobia’ by the UN General Assembly. In accordance with that mandate, the OIC group has tabled this draft resolution.
12. From the OIC perspective, the draft resolution we have presented serves to achieve the following objectives:
One, raise international awareness about the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred;
Two, send a clear message that the world opposes all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, negative stereotyping and stigmatization;
Three, to promote the message of tolerance, peaceful co-existence and interfaith and cultural harmony among all religions, races and nations;
Four, to demonstrate by commemorating this Day unfettered solidarity with all humanity, convey a strong message of respect for human dignity, and reiterate our common commitment to ‘unity in diversity’.
The objective of observing this Day is about uniting, not dividing.
Mr. President,
13. In view of this constructive spirit, members of the OIC held extensive exchanges over the past 12 months with all interested delegations on the proposal.
14. A draft text was circulated a month ago. The OIC conducted three rounds of open informal consultations on the draft resolution throughout the month of February. Following the conclusion of the open informal, the OIC also held extensive bilateral consultations with concerned delegations on the draft text. Based on the responses received, the text of the draft resolution was streamlined and revised multiple times to accommodate the concerns of all delegations.
15. Even after tabling of the resolution, the group remained engaged with concerned delegations. Based on further consultations with concerned delegations, the OIC has agreed to orally revise the text of the Operative Paragraph 3 which will read as follows:
“Invites all member states, relevant organizations of the United Nations system, other international and regional organizations, civil society, private sector and faith-based organizations to observe the international day in an appropriate manner”
Mr. President,
16. We believe that final text is balanced and should gather the widest possible support of the member states at the United Nations. We are hopeful that it will be adopted by consensus.
17. Through the observance of this day, the OIC wishes to build a better global understanding of Islam and Islamic precepts. We hope to convey, through the General Assembly, a message of international solidarity and cooperation.
18. We count on your full support and possible co-sponsorship of this important resolution.
I thank you
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