Geneva: The countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have expressed their concern about the challenges facing the freedom of religion and belief, such as widespread acts of violence, incidents of religious hatred, increasing discrimination and religious intolerance, as well as attacks on religious sites.
This was cited in a speech delivered on behalf of the GCC states by Idris Abdulrahman al Khanjari, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations (UN) and International Organizations in Geneva during his participation in 52nd regular session of the Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Al Khanjari affirmed that insulting sanctities and religions, such as the Holy Quran burning incident, represents clear evidence of the gravity of intolerance that need to be confronted.
He said that the GCC countries agree with the Special Rapporteur on the importance of ensuring respect for religions at the legislative and applied levels, and taking measures to consolidate respect for religions in societal thought.
Al Khanjari pointed out that the GCC countries call on the Human Rights Council to set a global and humanitarian goal that must be achieved when celebrating the centenary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in order to achieve the Millennium Goals for the year 2030. This will ensure reaching a tolerant world that respects the idea of freedom of belief in its comprehensive dimensions.
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