Pakistan appeals to global community over surging anti-Muslim sentiment in India

In a stark revelation that demands international attention, Pakistan has sounded the alarm over the intensifying surge of state-sponsored anti-Muslim sentiments in India, reaching an alarming climax. The concerns were raised during a significant occasion, the commemoration of the 2nd International Day for Countering Hate Speech, where Ambassador Munir Akram shed light on a dire warning issued by Gregory Stanton from Genocide Watch. Stanton's warning highlighted the imminent risk of genocide in regions under Indian administration, notably Kashmir and Assam.

Sounding the alarm on a global resurgence of hate in its various forms, Akram highlighted the increasingly prevalent xenophobia, racial and religious intolerance, and instances of discrimination against minorities. He expressed specific concern about the stigmatization faced by Muslim communities and individuals amidst a rampant rise in Islamophobia, notably spurred by a Hindutva-led Indian government campaign.

In his statement, Akram issued an unequivocal call for universal legislation that would criminalize offenses against any religion, including any actions that incite hatred and violence based on religious beliefs or convictions. His call served to spotlight the urgent need for decisive actions against such targeted offenses.

In the same vein, UN General Assembly President Csaba Korosi emphasized the unchecked proliferation of hate speech on digital platforms, where it often targets vulnerable groups, including women, girls, ethnic and religious minorities, and migrants. Alarmingly, he observed that certain corporations seem to exploit this trend, profiting from advertising within the sphere of online hate speech.

The UN, in response to these threats, has formulated a comprehensive Strategy and Plan of Action that underscores the role of hate speech as a precursor to atrocity crimes, including genocide and crimes against humanity. This initiative, launched by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, calls for a rigorous examination of the root causes and drivers of hate speech.

Echoing these sentiments, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, reaffirmed the critical role of UN's online and offline efforts in combating hate speech. She emphasized that it was essential to address hate speech at its roots by encouraging inclusivity, non-discrimination, and the protection of civil liberties. She also highlighted the integral role of country-led initiatives in curbing the proliferation of hate speech.