Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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March 16, 2026 Human rights
The UN Secretary-General on Monday called on countries to "work together" to eradicate the growing wave of hatred against Muslims. António Guterres emphasized the need to reject "narratives of fear and exclusion."
Amid ongoing conflict and instability, "millions of Muslims around the world are feeling this pain," he said. Antonio Guterres, speaking at an event dedicated to International Day Against Islamophobia"Let us reaffirm our commitment to equality, human rights and the dignity of every person, everywhere," he said.
The Secretary-General warned that many Muslims living in countries where they are a minority face various forms of institutional discrimination, socio-economic marginalization and unjustified surveillance in their daily lives.
Bias exacerbates division
Guterres called on governments to take responsibility and implement measures that "ensure equality rather than perpetuate prejudice." He also warned of "hidden forms of bias" that rarely make headlines but nonetheless "shape people's lives, undermine trust, and send a clear message about who is and is not included in society."
These could be issues of missed opportunities, prejudice, or suspicion. He says these phenomena are fueled—and dangerously amplified—by anti-Muslim rhetoric, disinformation, and outright hatred.
The rise of prejudice in the digital age
Speaking at the same event in New York, General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock noted that such biases are amplified in the digital age: technologies that are meant to strengthen connections between people “are instead accelerating the spread of misinformation and bias at an unprecedented rate.”
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According to Guterres, the consequences of such phenomena are evident: harassment, intimidation, vandalism, threats, and attacks against individuals and mosques. Such actions constitute "an assault on the values that underpin peaceful and inclusive societies."
"Confronting Islamophobia isn't just about defending one religious community. It's about defending our shared humanity," Baerbock emphasized.
She called on governments, international organizations, technology companies, and civil society to follow the UN's lead and actively combat stereotypes while disseminating accurate information.
Hate speech
The UN Secretary-General noted that when discrimination is “supported by people in positions of power, prejudice becomes the norm.”
"When stereotypes are left unchallenge, they become the policy they follow. And decisions driven by fear lead to injustice," he said.
According to the UN chief, "governments have a clear responsibility" to take action, including through legislation, to combat Islamophobia and to create security mechanisms that protect people and respect human rights, "rather than stigmatize entire communities."
António Guterres also emphasized the responsibility of tech companies. "Online spaces should bring people together, not divide them," the Secretary-General noted, adding that platforms must do far more to identify, prevent, and combat hate speech.
Silence fuels hatred
“Silence in the face of hatred only allows it to spread,” the Secretary-General stressed, adding that everyone must stand up to intolerance, xenophobia and discrimination.
“As Ramadan comes to an end, Muslims around the world reaffirm the values that underpin the UN Charter… These universal principles must guide our global response to hatred and division,” he concluded.
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