On the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Guterres condemns bigotry, xenophobia, and discrimination.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over “a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry,” urging governments to safeguard religious freedom and calling on online platforms to curb hate speech.
Guterres made these remarks on Saturday, commemorating the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, observed annually on March 15.
Rights groups worldwide, along with the UN, have noted a surge in Islamophobia, anti-Arab bias, and anti-Semitism since the start of Israel’s 17-month war on Gaza.
“We are witnessing a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry. From racial profiling and discriminatory policies that violate human rights and dignity, to outright violence against individuals and places of worship,” the UN chief stated in a video post on X. “This is part of a wider scourge of intolerance, extremist ideologies, and attacks against religious groups and vulnerable populations.”
He called on governments, without naming specific nations, to “foster social cohesion and protect religious freedom.”
“Online platforms must curb hate speech and harassment. And we must all speak out against bigotry, xenophobia, and discrimination,” he added.
We are witnessing a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry that is part of a wider scourge of intolerance & attacks against religious groups & vulnerable populations.
This International Day to Combat Islamophobia, let’s work together to uphold equality, human rights & dignity. pic.twitter.com/QIO1TeWME5
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 15, 2025
Meanwhile, UN Under-Secretary-General Miguel Angel Moratinos stated that Muslims are facing “institutional discrimination and socioeconomic restrictions.”
“Such biases are manifested in the stigmatization and the unwarranted racial profiling of Muslims and are reinforced by biased media representations and the anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies of some political leaders,” he said in a speech to the UN General Assembly.
Rights advocates have long raised concerns about the stigma faced by Muslims and Arabs due to the conflation of these communities with armed groups.
Currently, many pro-Palestinian activists, including those in Western nations like the United States, have complained that their advocacy for Palestinian rights is inaccurately labeled by critics as support for Hamas in Gaza.
In recent weeks, rights watchdogs have published data highlighting record levels of anti-Muslim hate incidents and hate speech in countries such as the United Kingdom, the US, and India, among others.
A report released by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on Tuesday revealed that the 8,658 complaints regarding anti-Muslim and anti-Arab incidents last year – a 7.4 percent year-on-year increase – marked the highest number since the group began compiling data in 1996.
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