KABUL (SW): The delegation of the European Union to the United Nations together with the Permanent Missions of Canada, the United States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, will co-host a forum on combating anti-Muslim discrimination and hatred.
In a message, the EU said it will be represented by EU Special Representative for Human Rights Stavros Lambrinidis.The day-long event at UN Headquarters will examine the rise of anti-Muslim discrimination and hatred globally from the perspective of governmental, non-governmental and private sector representatives, and provide recommendations for effective responses addressing this challenge in the future.
"We see a general rise in 'Anti-Muslim Hatred and Discrimination' not only in Europe, but also in many other parts of the world. All forms of religious discrimination are unacceptable and the EU is dedicated to counter this trend. Europe is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious area and the EU is built on a high level of protection of basic human rights. No one should be discriminated because of gender, race, ethnicity, religion or belief or sexual orientation. This is a universal principle that all societies – the EU as well as Afghanistan – should respect and strive for," said the European Union Special Representative to Afghanistan, Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin.
The communiqué noted the European Union and its Member States present in Afghanistan play an important role in championing human rights including non-discrimination. It added the EU promotes and supports human rights in all its development.
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