Qatar expresses concern over spread of Islamophobia
Geneva: Qatar has expressed deep concern over the spread of Islamophobia in several countries.
This came in the speech by Sheikh Nasser bin Jassim Al Thani, Member of Qatar’s delegation to the 29th session of the UN Human Rights Council, during a general debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance.
It is known that equality and non-discrimination form the cornerstone to human rights, said Sheikh Nasser expressing Qatar’s concern over the spread of Islamophobia in many countries and Muslims being harassed because of their faith and sometimes because of their race.
Statistics show increasing incidence of assault and threat based on race and religion in the countries classified as homes to democracy and human rights, without taking any effective and decisive measures to prevent such violations, he added.
Human rights on which all agree, are interdependent, complementary and indivisible and calling for exercising certain freedoms such as freedom of expression should be a cause for discrimination, hatred and contempt for others due to their races and faiths, he said.
Such practices not only undermine the rights endorsed by international human rights instruments but also fuel hatred and violence and threaten peaceful coexistence between individuals and communities, he added.
Sheikh Nasser said events and meetings organised by countries, especially sports, represent an opportunity to disseminate and promote diversity, tolerance and equality and combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. This was confirmed by decisions and reports issued by the council, he added.
“Campaigns to deprive countries of their right to host events, as experienced by my country, the State of Qatar which won a well-deserved right to organise the 2022 FIFA World Cup for the first time in the Arab region and the Middle East, are launched by organisations characterised by racism which is contrary to the spirit and objectives of these activities,” he added.
He reiterated Qatar’s commitment to continue cooperation with UN agencies, including the council, in fighting against all manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and spreading the culture of peace, tolerance and mutual respect among cultures, societies and peoples.
Doha: Minister of State for Defence Affairs H E Major General Hamad bin Ali Al Attiyah yesterday left for Belarus on a several days’ official visit. He was seen off by several senior army officers.
QNA
