Islamabad (GNP): Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia and High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), met with Federal Minister for Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar to discuss global efforts against Islamophobia, the promotion of interfaith harmony, and stronger cooperation on human rights. Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Law and Justice, was also present at the meeting.
The Federal Minister extended a welcome to Moratinos and congratulated him on taking up the role of UN Special Envoy. He praised the UN’s actions in this area, including marking 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and adopting the General Assembly resolution on measures against Islamophobia, calling these important steps in tackling religious intolerance globally.
The Minister reiterated Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to religious freedom, interfaith harmony, and peaceful coexistence, pointing to the country’s constitutional protections, its National Action Plan on Human Rights, the establishment of the National Commission for Minorities’ Rights (NCM), and its Interfaith Harmony Policy and Strategy on Religious Tolerance — all aimed at safeguarding citizens’ rights and building social cohesion.
Senator Tarar voiced serious concern over the growing wave of Islamophobia globally, citing rising hate speech, discrimination, attacks on Muslim communities and places of worship, online incitement, and acts of desecration against religious symbols and texts. He framed the fight against Islamophobia as fundamentally a human rights issue and cautioned that freedom of expression must never be used as cover for inciting hatred, discrimination, or violence against any faith or its followers.
He also raised concerns about rising Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslims in India, pointing to curbs on religious freedom and the targeting of Muslim communities there. He welcomed Moratinos’ attention to these issues and called for sustained international action to protect the rights, dignity, and religious freedom of Muslims and other minority groups.
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The two sides explored ways to deepen cooperation going forward, including support for the proposed UN Plan of Action on Combating Islamophobia, bolstering international monitoring and research, and encouraging interfaith dialogue and institutional partnerships to advance tolerance, mutual respect, and human rights protections.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
