In a session at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed strong condemnation of the recent incident of desecrating of the Holy Quran in Sweden.
The incident sparked widespread outrage among Muslim states and drew condemnation from international organizations and religious figures such as Pope Francis.
On its part, Pakistan presented a motion at the UN seeking a report from the rights chief and urging states to review laws that hinder the prevention and prosecution of religious hatred.
During the council debate on the motion, Bilawal emphasized that the desecration amounted to incitement of religious hatred, discrimination, and an attempt to provoke violence.
He, while addressing the council via video link, called for collective condemnation and isolation of those fueling hatred, stating that the deliberate desecration had occurred with government sanction and impunity.
Bilawal stressed on the deep hurt caused by such acts to Muslims, characterizing them as an attack on their faith.
While advocating for prevention and accountability over such acts, Bilawal affirmed the importance of free speech but maintained that hate speech should be indefensible.
He underlined that no Muslim country allowed the desecration of holy texts from other religions, emphasizing the need to reject actions that incite hostility based on faith.
“Let us unite against hatred, discrimination and intolerance and forge pathways for mutual respect, understanding and intolerance,” he said, concluding his address.
Bilawal’s sentiments were echoed by ministers from Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, with the latter labeling the desecration as an act of “Islamophobia.”
The debate showcased divisions within the UN body, with Western members expressing concerns about implications for free speech and challenges to long-held human rights practices.
