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21st Century Ideological Threats Require Global Resolve

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 18 2015 (IPS) - The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) has declared the need for global reconciliation in the face of new and emerging ideological threats in the 21st century.

The International Community is facing an unprecedented alarming rise of cultural extremism, terrorist attacks and continued incitement to hatred,” said Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser.

“Manifestations of religious based intolerance and violence are increasing across the globe,” he said, referring to the terrorist attacks and violent acts in Paris, Copenhagen, Libya, North Carolina, Nigeria, Myanmar, the Middle East and elsewhere.

“Such unjustifiable acts have culminated into targeted killings against innocent people from different faiths, perpetuating stereotyping, xenophobia and racism.”

Rather than hampering the international resolve, these “vicious forces” should be combatted by the international community, he said, as a matter of priority.

He made the statement the same day a U.N. General Assembly draft resolution on the UNAOC was presented at the U.N. headquarters in an open meeting at the ambassadorial level.

The resolution was discussed in the context of ethnic and cultural dimensions in disasters and emergencies, by permanent representatives from Turkey, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Benin, Qatar, Azerbaijan and elsewhere.

Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General Emergency Relief Coordinator, said many conflicts arise or gain strength from the exploitation of ethnic, religious and cultural differences, and that today, 80 per cent of humanitarian work is in countries and regions affected by conflict.

“Eighty-two per cent of people killed or injured by explosive weapons in 2013 were civilians,” said Amos, adding that violence and other forms of persecution force, on average, 23,000 people daily to flee their homes.

Displacement – which is at record-high levels today – is a defining feature of conflict, she pointed out.

“Much of this displacement fueled by conflict is rooted in a lack of understanding, dialogue and respect between communities,” said Amos.

“The principles and initiatives of the Alliance of Civilizations have an important role here.

“Your work, with grassroots organisations can help to build openness and tolerance in communities from the ground up. When children and young people are involved in these initiatives, their influence can last a lifetime, and help to build peace and intercommunal respect for generations to come.”

Adding to the grassroots approach, Al-Nasser stressed: “It is clear that the protection of civilian populations requires global action”.

In his statement, he made the case for universally agreed-on parameters to combat speech and incitement in all their forms.

“Preventive action should entail the empowerment and reform of the relevant existing instruments needed by the international community to respond to and cope with the new and emerging ideological threats, for the sake of our collective security and Human Rights for all,” he said.

 
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