Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly

20 July 2022

 

Excellencies, 

Distinguished colleagues, 

 

It is my pleasure to address this High-level Symposium to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement to Violence that Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes.  

 

I take this opportunity to thank the Kingdom of Morocco and the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and Responsibility to Protect, for their kind invitation. I commend them for their commitment to preventing and addressing the root causes of atrocity crimes. 

 

Excellencies, 

 

On the heels of the High-level event commemorating the First International Day of Hate Speech in June, it is imperative that we continue this conversation. We must work to raise awareness and share best practices on how we can identify warning signs and prevent violence before it happens.  

 

The United Nations was founded on the principles of human rights and peace. It has, and continues, to prioritize the fight against hate in all its forms, to promote and protect universal human rights.  

 

Make no mistake, while we have come far since the inception of our organization, we recognize also that the world has dramatically changed.  

 

In today’s world, hate speech and calls to violence are travelling faster and further than ever, particularly via online forums.  

 

It is thus incumbent that the UN continues to bring in a diverse and inclusive lens to its work, and that it be nimble and adaptable to its approaches. 

 

Indeed, multilateral organizations and states have the primary responsibility to protect populations from atrocity crimes, as well as their incitement, but other actors should and can play a role.  

 

This is why the Fez Plan of Action is an important step forward. The Plan provides a course of action for the pivotal roles of religious leaders and actors, and faith-based and secular organizations. 

 

Understanding the motivations that lie at the root of violence and atrocities is complex and requires careful reflection and analysis. Religious leaders are uniquely placed to offer such reflections and even influence behavior.  

 

Religious leaders and believers in general, and interreligious dialogue in particular, are crucial not just in preventing incitement to violence but in fostering virtue and in creating the type of peaceful and inclusive societies in which atrocity crimes are ethically inconceivable.  

 

I commend the contributions of the 232 religious leaders and actors from 77 countries that have shaped and influenced the outcomes of the Fez Plan of Action. 

 

My friends, 

 

The problems associated with atrocity crimes may have multiplied in scale and scope with technological advances and the rapid spread of communications, but the underlying issue remains.  

 

The most heinous atrocities that we have seen throughout history trace their beginnings to vile rhetoric that dehumanizes and isolates specific communities, often on grounds of religion, ethnicity, nationality, race or other identity factors.  

 

Today’s discussions should aim to ensure that we rid the future of these atrocities. That we address the root cause, and its impacts.  

 

Your presence here today symbolizes more than sharing of good practices, lessons, experiences, and stocktaking. 

 

By engaging prominent and influential leaders like yourselves we are closer to achieving peace, understanding, mutual respect and the fundamental rights of all. 

 

Let us all work together to prevent and end atrocity crimes and make our communities more robust, resilient, and safe for all. 

  

I thank you.