Mme President,
I thank the UAE for convening us to discuss this important topic.
I thank the Secretary General, the Grand Imam Al-Tayeb, Archbishop Gallagher, and Ms. Ziaten for their valuable insights.
Diversity is a fact of life and one of the most amazing features of human civilization. Over centuries, we have learned to accept it not simply as an inevitability, but rather as an asset, a strength.
With more and better education, with increased human mobility in a more and more interconnected world, we believe that diversity constitutes a strong bond that binds humans, united in our distinct cultures, histories, religions, philosophies, and orientations.
Regrettably, not everyone sees it that way.
While we cherish diversity, powerful countervailing forces, those of old inspiration and those with new tactics, try to use – or better misuse – diversity as a cause to harm, hate, discriminate against, oppress, and dominate. It is one of the major challenges of our fast-evolving times.
Where we see a paradox to be treated and cured: divisions and mistrust while societies are becoming more multi-ethnic and multi-religious – others see an opportunity to score goals.
We are deeply concern by the alarming rise in bigotry, hate speech and discrimination based on religion, belief, race, ethnicity or gender.
Radical discourse and hate speech have become mainstream as if this were the new normal.
The rise of antisemitism and islamophobia, hate-filled intolerance of diversity, including against LGBTI, in various forms of communication, including through internet and social media, should be a concern for all of us as, not only because it manifests an absence of compassion, humility, respect and acceptance of the others, but also because it always leads to tensions and violence.
We are all born free and must feel equal, despite origin, social class or ethnicity, the color of the skin, the God we worship, despite gender or the choices we make in life.
Everyone wins when we see diversity as a richness, not as a threat.
Mme President,
If unattended, hatred can have detrimental effects in the society, but it becomes deadly when it is weaponized it to gain, exercise, and retain power.
DA’ESH, to name the most brutal and despicable form of intolerance, has been defeated but its ideology and its appeal have not disappeared.
The political weaponization of diversity, the “us versus them” mentality, Neo-Nazis or supremacists, the singling out of people including migrants by their ethnicity, create deep social fractures and undermine trust between different groups. It may serve to justify attacks, and in the worst cases, as during Holocaust, to annihilate those unwanted.
What may be social, economic, and political grievances could be quickly and easily turned into religious or ethnic conflicts, which most often result in bloodshed.
If anything, the genocides in Srebrenica and Rwanda have taught us how easy and quickly can hate and propaganda turn people, neighbors and friends of different origin, into enemies.
We know now that the biggest mistake we could make it to take things for granted.
Mme President,
The task before us is to build a common front against hatred, xenophobia, racism, genocide deniers and sanction all those who undermine social cohesion, foment violence and endanger peace. It is not easy and there are no quick fixes.
We need to be alert, stand up and respond to all forms of disinformation and act quickly because misinformation, distorted reality and complot theories always fly faster.
We need to create an enabling environment for a vibrant civil society and independent and responsible media to scrutinize and dismiss falsehoods and strategies of hatred, and those who benefit from using them.
Recognition of diversity requires a vigorous citizenship education. Citizens who understand this unity-diversity nexus and act accordingly do not materialize from thin air; they are educated. This is why we need to invest in quality education, in critical thinking as a shield against hatred, violence and extremism in all its forms.
Successful requires also good and transparent governance, development, rule of law, human rights, equality, accountable institutions, and justice for all.
It requires genuine efforts and dedication. It is a society-wide challenge in every country. It requires an inclusive approach including the critical role played by religious and community leaders.
Let’s be clear, fighting intolerance cannot and must never be used as an excuse for curbing freedoms and justifying repression.
No matter where we live, it requires that we never deviate from our shared norms as solemnly enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Mme President,
There are many good examples to recognize and follow. I will take the one I know better: the situation in my own country.
Home to various religious communities, including Muslims, Orthodox, Catholic and Jews, living in mutual respect has been a significant aspect of the society for centuries. The society has embraced and cherishes a culture of acceptance and respect for different religions, with interactions that take place in a spirit of harmony, with shared cultural celebrations, intermarriages, and cooperative community efforts.
We are proud to offer a living example of how religious diversity can thrive within a society when there is a commitment to tolerance, respect, and dialogue.
We profoundly believe that it is only by ensuring equal rights for all that we can hope to eradicate hatred and extremism and enable every human being to flourish and live at peace with one-another.
I thank you!
