Agenda Item 9: Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance: follow-up to and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

General Debate

Statement by: Association Ma'onah for Human Rights and Immigration

Delivered by Joy El Hajaly / GICJ

19 March 2021

Thank you, President,

We are deeply concerned over the rise of anti-Muslim hatred and the discrimination of Muslim citizens in several European countries.

The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed, mentions in his report the misunderstandings surrounding the issue of Islamophobia which has caused the discrimination of Muslims and the rise of racism and xenophobia.  

Since the horrific attacks of 9/11 in the United States of America, the anti-Muslim discourse has increased in the U.S and across European countries, with the media and far-right politicians playing a prevalent role in shaping discourse around anti-Muslim hatred, further contributing to misunderstandings and misrepresentation of Islam. Due to the emergence of Islamophobia, there has been an increase in racism and discrimination towards Arabs, who are often associated directly with the religion of Islam.

The hate crime campaigns cannot be tolerated. In this regard, Ma'onah Association and Geneva International Centre for Justice strongly urge the Council and the international community to increase awareness of the issue of anti-Muslim hatred. We stand with the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur and emphasize that education is part of the solution to clarify misunderstandings.

We further call on the European Union to cooperate and find solutions to approach this increasing issue. Muslims suffer disproportionately from the consequences of terrorist attacks and Arabs are also discriminated against. Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred must come to an end.

Thank you, President.

Justice, Human rights, Geneva, geneva4justice, GICJ, Geneva International Centre For Justice