http://www.app.com.pk/n68.htm
Pakistan urges U.N to end discrimination against Islam UNITED NATIONS, Nov 4 (APP) - Pakistan has urged the UN General Assembly and the newly created Human Rights Council to work towards stopping religious defamation manifested in instances of Islamophobia so as to foster a culture of peace. Speaking in the 192-member Assembly, Pakistan's delegate Senator Akram Zaki stressed that the two UN bodies condemn religious intolerance and the defamation of religions, particularly in the terms of linking Islam with violence and terrorism. "The United Nations, in its endeavour to promote religious multi-culturalism, should appeal to the larger membership to deter and discourage antagonism and discrimination against Islam and Muslim peoples," he said while participating in a debate on the culture for peace. This is one of three proposals Akram Zaki, a former secretary-general of the foreign ministry and senior vice- resident of PML-Q, as he spoke about the need to reverse the disturbing trend of religious intolerance in many regions of the world. The other proposals being that the General Assembly hold a high-level event to promote racial and religious tolerance, and, following the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, that Member States develop a global strategy to address the issue of religious intolerance and introduce a legal instrument that would combat the defamation of religion. In this context, he said Pakistan, in collaboration with the Philippines had introduced a draft resolution in the Assembly to promote respect for the diversity of cultures and religious, and he urged all Member States to endorse it. Zaki told the delegates that President General Pervez Musharraf has advanced a strategy of "Enlightened Moderation" which highlights the principles of enhancing human welfare, freedom and progress everywhere, of forging harmony and understanding among all peoples and of seeking the peaceful resolution of conflicts and disputes. Pakistan, he said, supported international commitments that promoted tolerance and peace, especially in today's inter-connected world. Increased connectivity between world cultures had promoted better knowledge among people around the world, but it had also reinforced stereotypes and deepened differences and alienation, which were often displayed in anti-religious manifestations. Endorsing the Assembly's strong commitment to promoting dialogue and understanding among civilizations, cultures and religions, he noted that the United Nations Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief had indicated that intolerance between religious communities was encouraged by governmental bodies and negative media reports. He urged the Assembly and the Human Rights Council to evolve ways and means towards averting religious defamation. "While there is a need to sincerely invoke and apply all these existing mechanisms to promote understanding among religions and civilizations, there is also an urgent need to fill the juridical vacuum and redress the paucity of relevant laws that address issues relating to religious intolerance," Zaki said. In conclusion, he said, "We, the representatives assembled here, must be the catalysts of cooperation, not the prophets of doom. We must affirm the indivisibility of the human race. We must reassert our common humanity and our common universal values. It is only thus that we can build a stable structure of peace and harmony among all the peoples of the United +++ -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: osint@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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