Ambassador Aftab Ahmad Khokher urged the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) to effectively address the issue of Islamophobia and religious intolerance. In a Joint Statement delivered today on behalf of 35 countries during the ongoing 33rd Session of CCPCJ, he called on the Commission to place the issue high on its agenda.
The Joint Statement condemned the abhorrent acts of targeting the Holy Quran and destruction and desecration of mosques and other holy sites in some parts of the world despite clear call by relevant UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions, the UN Secretary General as well as other relevant Special Procedures and mandate holders.
It welcomed the adoption of UNGA Resolution 76/254 that designated 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia as well as the UNGA resolution 78/264 titled “Measures to Combat Islamophobia” which calls upon the Member States to take legislative and policy measures to combat religious intolerance, and violence against Muslims. The Joint Statement also requested the UN Secretary General to expedite the appointment of a Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia, pursuant to UNGA resolution 78/264.
In addition, the Joint Statement also urged Member States to examine their national laws, policies, law enforcement frameworks and criminal justice systems with a view to identifying gaps in this regard. It also called on the global social media platforms to harmonise their content policy applications, including offensive and anti-Islamic content.
The Joint Statement is part of Pakistan’s active engagement during the Session to highlight the urgency to address the challenge posed by Islamophobia.
The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) is one of its functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Commission acts as the principal policymaking body of the United Nations in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. The Commission consists of 40 Member States. Pakistan is currently the member of the Commission for the term 2024-26. The 33rd Session of the Commission is currently underway at Vienna.
Vienna
16 May 2024
