United Nations Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres has voiced concern over what he described as a “disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry,” calling on governments to uphold spiritual freedom and urging on-line platforms to curb hate speech.
Marking the Worldwide Day to Fight Islamophobia on March 15, Guterres highlighted rising discrimination in opposition to Muslim communities worldwide.
“We’re witnessing a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry. From racial profiling and discriminatory insurance policies that violate human rights and dignity, to outright violence in opposition to people and locations of worship,” he mentioned in a video message posted on X. “That is a part of a wider scourge of intolerance, extremist ideologies and assaults in opposition to spiritual teams and susceptible populations.”
The UN chief urged governments to “foster social cohesion and defend spiritual freedom” with out naming particular international locations. He additionally referred to as on on-line platforms to take stronger motion in opposition to hate speech and harassment.
UN Underneath-Secretary-Normal Miguel Angel Moratinos echoed these considerations, noting that Muslims confronted “institutional discrimination and socioeconomic restrictions.”
“Such biases are manifested within the stigmatisation and the unwarranted racial profiling of Muslims and are bolstered by biased media representations, and by the anti-Muslim rhetoric and insurance policies of some political leaders,” Moratinos informed the UN Normal Meeting.
Rising considerations over Islamophobia
Rights teams and the UN have pointed to an increase in Islamophobia, anti-Arab bias, and anti-Semitism, notably because the begin of Israel’s battle on Gaza 17 months in the past.
Professional-Palestinian activists in Western nations, together with america, have reported being accused of supporting Hamas merely for advocating Palestinian rights.
Latest reviews point out a document surge in anti-Muslim hate incidents. A examine by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) discovered that complaints of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab discrimination within the US reached an all-time excessive in 2023, with 8,658 circumstances recorded— a 7.4% rise from the earlier 12 months.
Comparable developments have been reported within the UK, India, and different international locations, elevating considerations over rising intolerance.
Because the UN requires motion, the main focus stays on governments and digital platforms to deal with discrimination and defend spiritual freedoms worldwide.