By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA (AA) - The Turkish deputy foreign minister called on Monday for the appointment of a UN special envoy to combat Islamophobia, emphasizing the urgent need to address rising hate speech and discrimination against Muslims.
"Hatred against Islam, racism, xenophobia, discrimination, and far-right hate speech are rising. Hardly a day goes by without hostility against and violations of fundamental rights of Muslims, including attacks on their lives, mosques, and the Holy Quran," Mehmet Kemal Bozay said in his address to the high-level segment of the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
"UN resolutions defining burning of holy books as religious hatred are significant, but more steps are needed. A UN Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia should soon be appointed," Bozay urged.