Madam President;
This session of Council is coincident with regrettable events that are deliberately meant to defame religions as well incite hatred, xenophobia, discrimination and violence against religions, in particular Islam. The increasing incidents of violence and discrimination on the basis of religion must not be ignored. They threaten the multicultural fabric of our societies. We hope that this and other related issues remain an important priority in the work of the Council.
The most recent and unfortunate in the series of such events was
the production of the anti-Islamic film, which is act of incitement of inter-communal hatred.
Although freedom of expression is sacred democratic principle, this freedom should not be used as an excuse to publish garbage and slime. There is no freedom without responsibilities.
Profound respect for the beliefs, texts, outstanding figures and symbols of the various religions is an essential precondition for the peaceful coexistence of peoples in our diversified world.
If the evil and blasphemous act of those extremists who published derogatory cartoon and set blaze on the Holy Quran would not enjoy impunity, today we would not witness the production of derogatory and provocative film.
The Human Rights Council has a duty to defend its values and religious sanctities and confront extremism and violence and calls on governments to cooperate with influential international institutes in order to avoid conflicts based on identity, ethnic and religion.
