Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia and High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), called on Federal Minister for Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, to discuss global efforts to combat Islamophobia, promote interfaith harmony, and strengthen cooperation on human rights. Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Law and Justice, also attended the meeting.
The Federal Minister welcomed Mr. Moratinos and congratulated him on his appointment as the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. He appreciated the United Nations' efforts, including the designation of 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and the adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution on Measures to Combat Islamophobia, describing these as significant milestones in addressing religious intolerance at the global level.
Reaffirming Pakistan's steadfast commitment to promoting religious freedom, interfaith harmony, and peaceful coexistence, the Minister highlighted the country's constitutional guarantees, the National Action Plan on Human Rights, the operationalization of the National Commission for Minorities' Rights (NCM), and the Interfaith Harmony Policy and Strategy on Religious Tolerance, aimed at protecting the rights of all citizens and fostering mutual respect and social cohesion.
Expressing deep concern over the alarming rise in Islamophobia worldwide, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar noted the increasing incidents of hate speech, discrimination, attacks on Muslim communities and places of worship, online incitement, and the desecration of religious symbols and holy texts. He emphasized that combating Islamophobia is fundamentally a human rights obligation and stressed that freedom of expression should never be used to incite hatred, discrimination, or violence against any religion or its followers.
The Minister also expressed concern over the rise of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim discrimination in India, including restrictions on religious freedoms and the targeting of Muslim communities. He appreciated Mr. Moratinos' engagement on these issues and emphasized the importance of continued international efforts to safeguard the rights, dignity, and religious freedoms of Muslims and other minorities.
Both sides discussed avenues for enhanced cooperation, including the proposed UN Plan of Action on Combating Islamophobia, strengthening international monitoring and research, promoting interfaith dialogue and institutional collaboration to advance tolerance, mutual respect, and the protection of human rights.
