UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia and High Representative of the Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Moratinos. UN special envoy to combat Islamophobia: “We are seeing a dangerous rise in hatred – especially in Europe” Peace and security
Ahead of the International Day Against Islamophobia on 15 March, UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia and High Representative of the Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Moratinos warned of soaring discrimination and hostility against Muslim communities around the world.
In an interview with the UN News Service, the Special Envoy noted that the situation has worsened for the third year in a row – despite the efforts of the international community. “We have seen a sharp increase in Islamophobic sentiments, attacks and rights violations. This is a global problem, and all states must respond to it,” he emphasized.
Growth of Islamophobic sentiments
UN member states, with the active role of the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, established the International Day against Islamophobia to draw attention to “a very serious phenomenon,” Moratinos noted, but instead of reducing the level of hatred, it is increasing. “We see an increase in Islamophobic sentiments in Asia, but the situation in Europe is especially alarming. Religion and entire communities are becoming an instrument of political polarization,” the Special Envoy said. According to him, Muslim minorities are increasingly being drawn into the rhetoric of election campaigns and are being used as targets for mobilizing the electorate.
Moratinos noted that Islamophobia undermines social cohesion and increases tension in societies, especially in countries experiencing conflict. He recalled that one of the Sustainable Development Goals is the need to achieve peace in society. “If we do not create an atmosphere of respect and equal rights for all citizens, regardless of their faith, we will fail,” the Special Envoy said. “Today we are witnessing an unprecedented level of hate speech that is destroying societies.”
The role of digital platforms
Hateful political rhetoric on digital platforms poses a particular threat, Moratinos said, with social media amplifying the spread of hostility and tech companies responding “too late and not effectively enough.” “It’s even more dangerous when politicians enable their supporters to use such platforms for abuse and discrimination. Where is the line between freedom of speech and hate speech? People should have the right to express their opinions and at the same time practice their religion in peace and security,” Moratinos said.
Education and intercultural dialogue
The Special Envoy named education and intercultural dialogue as one of the key areas of work. According to him, there remains a deep misunderstanding of Islam in Western countries. “People don’t know what Islam is. They have never read the Koran. They get distorted ideas from out-of-context quotes and politicized interpretations. We need to invest in education – in schools, in the media, in society as a whole,” the Special Envoy said.
People don’t know what Islam is. They have never read the Koran. They get distorted ideas from out-of-context quotes and politicized interpretations
According to him, ignorance creates fertile ground for manipulation. Educational programs should explain the historical context, theological foundations and cultural diversity of the Islamic world. The UN is preparing the first global plan to combat Islamophobia, which will be unveiled this year. The document, according to Moratinos, will include a historical analysis of the causes of Islamophobia, recommendations for the adoption of legislative measures and the creation of a monitoring system. The Special Envoy called on countries to appoint national representatives to combat Islamophobia, as is already being done in the field of countering anti-Semitism. “We must create mechanisms that will allow us to monitor trends, respond to incidents and prevent escalation,” he noted. At the end of the interview, Moratinos emphasized that humanity must learn to live together. “We are one human family, diverse and multi-religious,” the Special Envoy said. – Islam is one of the great civilizations, and we cannot ignore it. We have a responsibility to fight any discrimination. In the end, every person wants to live in peace – with themselves, their family and the world around them.”