Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield at a high-level event hosted by the UN General Assembly on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
US Representative to the United Nations
New-York, New-York
March 10, 2023

AS DELIVERED

Thank you Mr President. Thank you, Secretary General, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and all those who have gathered for this very important high-level event.

Exactly four years ago to the day, a gunman stormed two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, and shot worshipers indiscriminately. Fifty-one Muslims were killed and another 40 injured. Make no mistake: this was an attack on the entire Muslim community. And it was a painful reminder for all of us of the deadly consequences of Islamophobia; the epidemic of anti-Muslim hatred.

Three years after this terrible terrorist attack, the United Nations declared March 15th as International Day to Combat Islamophobia. In doing so, we commit ourselves to promoting human rights and freedom of religion for all. And we have officially recognized that Muslims face increasing discrimination and violence.

Last year, the United States found that members of the Burmese military have committed genocide and crimes against humanity against Rohingya, many of whom are Muslims.

We also found that the Chinese government has committed genocide and crimes against humanity against the predominantly Muslim Uighur and other ethnic and religious minorities in Xinjiang.

The international community must continue to condemn these atrocities. We must continue to hold ourselves accountable. And we must continue to demand that all those unjustly detained in the PRC be released and reunited with their families.

For its part, the United States is committed to eradicating all forms of hatred and intolerance at home and around the world. Last September, President Biden hosted the United We Stand Summit to honor Americans taking action to fight discrimination and bigotry. And we’ve created an interagency group to fight anti-Muslim hatred and religious discrimination wherever and whenever we see it.

Colleagues, as Muslims prepare for the holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting and caring for communities, let us redouble our efforts to combat prejudice and violence. And let’s do everything in our power to ensure that our world is so much more peaceful, tolerant and just at our next gathering to mark the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

Thanks very much.

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From the United States Mission to the United Nations | March 10, 2023 | Topics: Highlights, Remarks and Highlights