AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Pakistan calls for countering incidents of Islamophobia, violence, hate speech
Pakistan says the BJP-RSS dispensation, inspired by the extremist “Hindutva” ideology, is embarked upon a campaign to “cleanse” India of all vestiges of its Islamic heritage and making Muslims second class citizens, even non-citizens.
In a message on International Day for Countering Hate Speech on Saturday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said the ensuing hate speech and consequent hate crimes have reached unprecedented levels in India.
He said the recent calls for Muslim ‘genocide’, state complicity in extra-judicial measures, and state-sponsored grave human rights abuses against Muslims protestors, in the backdrop of hate-driven derogatory remarks made towards the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Rasool Allah Khatim un Nabiyeen Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Ala Alaeyhee Wasalam by the senior BJP officials, are alarming and highly condemnable.
He said the international community must end impunity for perpetrators of such abominable hate speech and crimes.
The Spokesperson said Pakistan has been advocating for an international framework against hate speech, disinformation and balanced approach between fundamental freedoms and responsibilities.
He said, on its part, Pakistan will continue to advance the international efforts to protect individuals from hate speech and related xenophobia, intolerance, discrimination, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, violence and incitement to violence and will reinforce efforts to promote inter-faith and inter-civilizational understanding and harmony.
Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan is particularly alarmed at the global resurgence in Islamophobia, xenophobia, hatred and acts of violence against minorities. Even as victims of violence belong to diverse religious minorities across the world, there is a disproportionate growth in hate speech and stigmatization of Muslim communities and individuals, leading to acts of violence.
Source: Radio Pakistan