UNGA adopts Pakistan-backed resolution on attacks on religion

GENEVA: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday adopted a Moroccan resolution, co-sponsored by Pakistan, calling for countering hate speech, and strongly deploring attacks against places of worship, religious symbols, and holy books.

The resolution is titled ‘Promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech’. It won the approval in the 193-member assembly amid growing acts of desecration of the holy Quran.

Diplomats said that Pakistan led the efforts, along with Malaysia and Egypt, to work toward the resolution.

The resolution aims to strongly deplore “all acts of violence against persons on the basis of their religion […] as well as all attacks on and in religious places, sites and shrines in violation of international law.”

Spain submitted an amendment asking for the last words of that paragraph “in violation of international law” to be deleted.

Speaking on behalf of the European Union, the Spanish delegate emphasized that although such actions are deeply offensive and disrespectful, they do not constitute a violation of international law.

It secured 44 votes in favour, and 62 against. There were 24 abstentions. The results therefore defeated the proposed amendment.

Under the terms of the resolution, UNGA urged member states to engage with all relevant stakeholders to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue. It also orders the rejection of spreading hate speech which constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence.

It further called on member states and social media companies to counter hate speech and address its increasing spread, enable research into measures to reduce it and promote users’ access to effective reporting channels.

Pakistan’s delegate Bilal Chaudhry expressed “profound satisfaction” over the adoption of the resolution. He said the decision resonated with the resolution presented by Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Read: UN rights body adopts Pakistan’s resolution against desecration of Quran

That landmark resolution condemned “all advocacy and manifestations of religious hatred, including recent public and premeditated acts that have desecrated the Quran.” It also called for countries to adopt laws enabling them to bring to justice those responsible for such acts, he pointed out.

“Such incidents are also a manifestation of racial hatred and xenophobia,” Chaudhry said.

“The absence of preventive legal deterrence and shying away from speaking out encourages further incitement to hatred and violence.”

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