The UN General Assembly approved, on Tuesday July 25, a resolution providing for the organization, in 2025, of a world conference on the fight against hate speech by promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance. , according to information relayed by the UN press service.
The text, presented by Morocco, is entitled “Fight against hate speech: promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance”. In particular, it calls on Member States to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders in order to promote the virtues of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, respect and acceptance of differences, tolerance, respect for diversity, coexistence and peaceful coexistence and respect for human rights, and to counter the spread of any hate speech that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.
The resolution invites the SG of the United Nations to organize, within the limits of existing resources, in 2025, a world conference on this theme, in which will participate United Nations entities, Member States, political personalities, religious leaders , faith-based organizations, the media and civil society.
The date of this event will be determined in consultation with the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management in Geneva.
It should be noted that before the adoption of the resolution, an exchange would have opposed Western countries, attached to freedom of expression, and Muslims, worried about the rise of Islamophobia.
The debate was provoked by the proposal of an amendment made by the European Union requesting the deletion of the words “in violation of international law”, contained in paragraph 13 of the preamble of the resolution. This paragraph deplores “all the attacks perpetrated, in violation of international law, against and in places of worship, religious sites and sanctuaries”.
The European Union’s proposed amendment, supported by the Nordic countries and the United States, was rejected by 62 votes against, 44 votes in favor and 24 abstentions. Finally, the draft resolution was approved by consensus.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1263 of 07/26/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
