ISLAMABAD: Senate adopted unanimous resolution to condemn vile act of desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden and Netherlands which has hurt religious sentiments of 1.5 billion Muslims around globe. Upper House of Parliament protested governments of Sweden and Netherlands for allowing extremist elements for this heinous crime in garb of freedom of expression. Senate termed this disgraceful incident of Islamophobia as hateful and contrary to principles of international law laid down in several instruments, including United Nations General Assembly resolution number 36/35 of November 25, 1981 which proclaims Declaration on Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, Article 18 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 18 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, European Court of Human Rights and European Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief which states that responsibility and freedom of expression go hand in hand and latter should not incite hatred, shock or disturbance to any segment of society, call of World Conference on Human Rights upon all governments to take all appropriate measures to counter intolerance, United Nations General Assembly resolution 56/6 of November 9, 2001 on Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilisations, Resolution of United Nations Commission on Human Rights 2005/40 and International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

According to resolution, Senate therefore stands for upholding universal principles highlighted above and expresses collective will of state and people of Pakistan against act of desecration of Holy Quran by racists and extremists.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 28 2023

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