The International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief is observed today, 22 August, pursuant to Resolution 73/296 adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 28 May 2019.
On this occasion, Alkarama expresses its deep concern over the resurgence of violence and discrimination targeting individuals on the basis of their religion or beliefs worldwide, with a particular focus on the situation of Muslims in Europe, North America, and Asia during the past year, where they have been subjected to systematic targeting and an intensification of violations.
International reports have highlighted an alarming rise in Islamophobia, especially in Europe, where Muslims are increasingly exposed to various forms of discrimination, hate crimes, as well as physical and verbal assaults.
According to the 2024 annual report of the Collective for the Fight against Islamophobia in Europe, “anti-Muslim discourse in Europe has never reached such a level of normalization, which marked the end of 2024. Islamophobia has become an intrinsic part of public discourse, fueled by the growing campaigns of the far right, requiring increased vigilance on the part of all those who uphold the values of freedom and equality.”
This phenomenon is not limited to Europe: similar reports have documented a rise in attacks against Muslims in the United States and Canada, as well as in several Asian countries such as India, China, and Myanmar, where an expanding body of legislation and inciteful rhetoric targets Muslim communities, stripping them of their legal and civil rights.
In this context, Alkarama reaffirms its full solidarity with all victims of violence based on religion or belief, and calls for:
Governments to assume their legal responsibilities to protect all religious communities without discrimination, and to ensure the rule of law and equal opportunities for all;
The swift adoption and implementation of deterrent legislation against hate crimes and religious violence, the prosecution of perpetrators, and the repeal of all discriminatory laws and practices against any religious or ethnic community;
Sustained political and cultural efforts to counter hate speech and extremism, eliminate the roots of racism, and promote universal human values through educational curricula, media discourse, and cultural institutions’ programs.
In the face of growing challenges threatening peaceful coexistence worldwide, Alkarama renews its commitment to rejecting all forms of discrimination and violence, and to working towards a world that is more just, equitable, and respectful of human dignity, regardless of religion or belief.