United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday there was a “disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry” around the world while urging online tech platforms to curb hate speech and harassment.
“We are witnessing a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry. From racial profiling and discriminatory policies that violate human rights and dignity, to outright violence against individuals and places of worship,” the UN chief said in a video message ahead of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, without mentioning any specific country or government.
“Online platforms must curb hate speech and harassment. And we must all speak out against bigotry, xenophobia, and discrimination.”
Rights advocates have for years raised concerns about stigma faced by Muslims and Arabs because of how some people conflate those communities with extremists or terrorist groups.
In recent weeks, rights watchdogs have published data noting record levels of anti-Muslim hate incidents and hate speech in countries such as the UK, US, and India, among others.
On Saturday, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, speaking on the sixth anniversary of the Christchurch mosque attacks, emphasised the need for the country to confront the forces that led to the tragedy.
“As we reflect on this day, we must also confront the forces that contributed to this tragedy,” Luxon said at a Unity Hui, adding that “Islamophobia, like all forms of hatred, has no place in New Zealand. It is our responsibility to challenge it wherever it appears—in words, policies, or in the silence that enables prejudice to grow,” according to Radio New Zealand.
In 2019, a white supremacist terrorist from Australia used semi-automatic rifles to kill 51 Muslims and injure 40 others at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch.
