The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is calling on states and digital platforms to act in the face of a growing wave of anti-Muslim acts.
Volker Türk on Sunday urged the international community to speak out against “anti-Muslim hatred wherever it occurs,” marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. In a video message released by the Office of the High Commissioner, he warned of a troubling rise in discrimination and violence targeting Muslims around the world.
Addressing Muslim communities observing the month of Ramadan, Türk extended his wishes for “Ramadan Kareem” and acknowledged their contribution to social and cultural life in many countries. “Muslim communities strengthen societies and enrich cultures,” he said, while stressing that these populations are today confronted with a “rising wave of Islamophobia” documented by several international studies.
According to the UN official, incidents of harassment, discrimination and violence against Muslims are multiplying across a wide range of contexts. He cited assaults in public spaces and schools, vandalized mosques and the spread of hateful content on social media. Women and girls wearing the hijab are among the most frequent targets of such attacks, he noted.
Türk also condemned certain security policies which, in his view, can lead to the unjustified surveillance or detention of Muslims under the guise of counter-terrorism. In several countries, he added, discrimination persists in access to employment, housing and public services — sometimes embedded in legislative or administrative frameworks.
The High Commissioner argued that Islamophobia is rooted in a long history marked by religious tensions and colonial legacies. He pointed to historical “divide and rule” strategies that have fueled mistrust between communities — a dynamic that, he warned, can resurface when political figures scapegoat Muslims in public discourse.
In response to this situation, the UN is calling on states to strengthen their legal frameworks against hate crimes and improve the recording of anti-Muslim incidents. “In our data-driven age, what is not counted does not count,” Türk stressed, also urging technology companies to remove hateful content from their platforms and cooperate with authorities.
MK/ak/te/lb/as/APA