UNITED NATIONS: Amid an upsurge of Islamophobia across the globe,  the UN General Assembly Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution, sponsored by Pakistan and the Philippines, that underscored the need for promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue to advance a culture of peace and non-violence in the world.

The resolution, which was co-sponsored by dozens of countries,  called on States to promote inclusion and unity to combat racism, xenophobia, hate speech, violence and discrimination.

It also reaffirmed the solemn commitment of all States to fulfill their obligations to promote universal respect for and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Introducing the biennial text, Pakistan UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, also speaking on behalf of the Philippines and all co-sponsors, stressed that it is essential to promote a culture of peace — one that embraces diversity and inclusivity, safeguards fundamental rights and freedoms and rejects social structures and stereotypes that create divisions among individuals, societies, communities and nation States.

Despite progress achieved over the years, he noted, much more remains to be done to fully realize these shared ideals.

In this regard, the Pakistani envoy recalled the Constitution of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which affirms that “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”.

He explained that “a technical rollover” would retain the key messages reaffirmed through the consensus adoption of the resolution during the seventy-eighth session.

Under the terns of the resolution, it stresses that the exercise of the right to freedom of expression carries with it special duties and responsibilities, and must therefore be subjected to legitimate restrictions.

The resolution also acknowledges the significance and respect for “religious symbols”.

The text also reaffirms that violence is never a justifiable or acceptable response to acts of intolerance and that “such violence should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group”.

Despite the unanimous adoption, a few delegations raised some concerns. India particularly criticized some sections.

Rejecting “unwarranted and baseless” Indian remarks, Pakistani delegate Zulfiqar Ali said, “It is unfortunate that India has tried to spoil the significance of a unanimous signal that the international community sent today by the consensual adoption of this important resolution.”

As regard the Kartarpur Corridor, Zulfiqar Ali, a First Secretary in the Pakistan Mission to the UN,  said it has facilitated the pilgrimage of Sikh pilgrims to the holy site of Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur where thousands of Sikh pilgrims from all over the globe, including a vast majority from India, visit this shrine in full safety and dignity.

Pakistan, he added,  announced the renewal of the Agreement between India and Pakistan in 2024 for an additional period of five years, reflecting Islamabad’s recognition of the importance of safeguarding the rights of religious minorities and has earned widespread appreciation from the Sikh community all over the world, the international community, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who described it as a “Corridor of Hope.”

“The fact remains that India has the distinction of being the world’s most intolerant state, ” the Pakistani delegate said. “While Muslims constitute the largest minority group suffering from hate crimes and face multiple forms of discrimination and persecution including cow vigilantism, desecration of worship places and even ghettoization.”

Pakistan, he  said,  urges  the Indian government to stop its patronage of the persecution of minorities and punish those who commit such abominable acts.