STATEMENT - Abid Raja, Chair of IPPFoRB, on the increasing hate speech, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia following the Israel-Hamas war
Oslo, Norway – December 1st, 2023
“The International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) is deeply concerned about the surge in hate speech, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia. We are concerned about the impact of the war between Israel and Hamas on civilians, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and the hostages' situation. We convey our profound solidarity with all the people impacted by the violence in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.
The terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7 and the resulting intensification of the conflict in Gaza have immediate consequences for civilians. However, in a world marked by social media polarization and the rapid spread of disinformation, this conflict also has a profound impact on Jewish and Muslim communities across the globe. As this crisis escalates, I want to underscore that parliamentarians across the globe have a vital role to play when challenges such as the ones we are facing now emerge.
Since October 7, instances of hate speech and hate crimes have increased. There is a rising tide of dehumanization targeting both Jews and Palestinians. In the face of such events, we must reinforce our commitment to international human rights. Hateful content severely threatens democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. This kind of rhetoric fuels aggression and bigotry. Globally, the current climate has sparked a troubling rise in xenophobia, racism, and intolerance, with notable increases in both anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim sentiments.
As reported by Human Rights Watch, authorities have been failing to offer adequate responses to cases of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. Authorities must perform law enforcement and provide security impartially, upholding the rights of all individuals. It is also vital that the imperative to prevent violence based on hatred must not be used as an excuse for discriminatory practices or abusive policies that restrict the right to protest and free expression over the Israel-Hamas war.
The current levels of hate based on religion call for our action. I call on parliamentarians to refrain from using messages of intolerance or expressions that may incite violence, hostility, or discrimination, as underscored in the 2012 Rabat Plan of Action. Parliamentarians have a crucial role in speaking out firmly and promptly against intolerance, discriminatory stereotyping, and instances of hate speech. IPPFoRB recommends that states follow the concrete recommendations provided by the Rabat Plan of Action, ensuring that the three-part test – legality, proportionality, and necessity – for restrictions to freedom of expression also applies to cases of incitement to hatred. Blasphemy laws should be repealed, while comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation that includes preventive and punitive action to effectively combat incitement to hatred must be adopted.
Grounded in the principles of indivisibility, mutual dependency, and the interconnected nature of human rights, the right to freedom of religion or belief is inherently linked with other human rights, including the right to life, the freedom of expression, and the right to peaceful assembly. States must uphold the human rights of all citizens equitably, a mandate that extends to the prevention of hate crimes, including those motivated by anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. This right should never be manipulated for political purposes or as a catalyst for violence.
Aware of the dangerous link between hate speech and violence, I call on the parliamentarians from our network to make a difference in these turbulent times. IPPFoRB has as its core values diversity, non-discrimination, and equality. Our efforts are deeply rooted in the international human rights law framework. I urge the parliamentarians and former parliamentarians in our network to recognize that freedom from discrimination based on religion or belief and prevention of hate crime are integral to human rights protection.
It is up to us to shape the future. Together, we can make our countries and the world a stable and safe place for everyone to live in peace, online and offline.”
For more information, please contact:
Sara Machado, IPPFoRB Communications and Advocacy Adviser
sm@nhc.no / +47 453 80 822