Qatar Affirms Responsibility of International Community to Confront Hate Speech that Fuels Anti-Muslim Sentiments

The State of Qatar affirmed the responsibility of the international community and all governments, especially in countries experiencing an increase and rise of extreme right-wing groups, to confront hate speech that fuels feelings of hostility and violence against Muslims.

This came in the statement of the State of Qatar delivered by HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva Ambassador Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri, during an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief at the 46th regular session of the Human Rights Council.

His Excellency said that Qatar shares the Special Rapporteur's opinion of the need to take effective measures to prevent direct and indirect discrimination against Muslims, to abolish all restrictions imposed on individuals for manifesting their religion, to combat negative and discriminatory stereotyping practiced by law enforcement agencies, to establish and strengthen mechanisms for monitoring and reporting violations and holding those responsible accountable.

His Excellency added that the report of the Special Rapporteur clarified the different contexts through which Muslims in a number of parts of the world are exposed to practices that violate their rights and freedoms within the framework of the so-called Islamophobia.

His Excellency stressed that while we condemn in the strongest terms these practices, we are concerned that manifestations of hatred and hostility towards Islam and Muslims are embodied in negative stereotypes that lead to prejudice and discrimination against Muslims, which leads to their exclusion from social, political and civil life, as it often results in adopting legislative and executive measures that contribute to further violation of their rights.

HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva noted that permitting these practices cannot express the values of the civilized world, nor can it be justified under the pretext of spreading freedoms, as freedom does not mean violating the rights of others.