: Stand in ‘firm solidarity’ with victims of violence based on religion or belief, urges UN chief #IndiaNEWS #International On the International Day for victims of acts of violence based on religion

Stand in ‘firm solidarity’ with victims of violence based on religion or belief, urges UN chief #IndiaNEWS #International
On the International Day for victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief, commemorated on Monday, the UN chief reiterated his staunch support for those who have suffered.

During the day set aside to honour the victims who have lost their lives or suffered for exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief, Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement standing in “firm solidarity???.
“Hate speech, online or offline, continues to fuel violence against vulnerable members of society, including ethnic and religious minorities,??? he warned.
‘We must do more’
Despite the General Assembly’s resolution in 2019 to officially observe the day, “persons and communities worldwide continue to face intolerance and violence based on religion or belief,??? the top UN official said.
“We must do more to support victims and examine the conditions that drive intolerance and hate???, he added.
“Initiatives like my Call to Action for Human Rights and the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech are tools that can be used to address these complex and pressing issues???.

UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
Children wearing “United Against Hate??? t-shirts appear at an interfaith gathering at the Park East Synagogue in New York City in memory of Jewish worshipers who were killed in Pittsburgh in the United States. (31 October 2018)

Onus on States
States have the responsibility to prevent and address discrimination and violence inflicted in the name of religion or belief, reminded Mr. Guterres.
He outlined that this must be done through “comprehensive policiep??]??[?H[???[?]???]K??[??H[?[???Z][?[???[?[X[??YK??[?[??HS??YY??]][?Y][X[??Y???[?][???]?]Y[?H?[YH??[Y?[???[YY?]??H[???Y?]Y[?[??Y[?8?'Y??X?]?H??][???YY??H??YY??X?[?[???X[??H?][???][?[[X[??Y??]?????']???[?X[][?]??Z]XY??[???[??Y[?X[X?????[[?[[??][Y[??]?Y[??[?[??H??Y??[Y?[???[YY?8???[Y?]H?X?]?KQ?[??[???'?HH??X?]?K[???]?K[????Y]K]?YHY????[???[[??Y?H??Y^?[??H??[[?[???Y???????Y]Y(???g&VVF???b&V?v????g&VVF???b&V?v????"&V?Vb????????BW?&W76???2vV??2F?R&?v?BF?V6VgV?76V?&??Bg&VVF???b76?6?F????&RV?6?&??VB??F?&VR'F?6?W2?bF?*V??fW'6?FV6?&F????b?V??&?v?G2??W???F??rF?W6R??FW&FWV?FV?B???FW'&V?FVB?B?WGV??&V??f?&6??r&?v?G2??2????'F?B&??R??f?v?F??rv??7B??f?&?2?b&V?Vb?&6VB??F??W&?6R?BF?67&???F????66?&F??rF?F?RV??FVB?F???2