Pakistan has called for a two-pronged approach to combat terrorism and violent extremism by evolving a clear understanding of its nature and dimensions along with efforts to address underlying causes of the scourge.
“Violent extremism poses one of the world’s most imposing challenges today. It affects us all as states and societies,” Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi told the UN General Assembly.
“Conditions conducive to the spread of different forms of violent extremism include, inter alia, festering, unresolved conflicts, socio-economic marginalisation and exclusion, a sense of deprivation and injustice, real or imagined, lack of social stability, intolerance as well as religious, racial and ethnic discrimination, bigotry and hatred,” she said.
In addition, Lodhi pointed out that lack of a clear distinction between free speech and hate speech has provided space for extremists to promote their twisted ideology and agenda. “The rise of Islamophobia in the West has further fuelled extremist thinking,” she told the 193-member assembly.
The Pakistani envoy was participating in a high level meeting on Promoting Tolerance and Reconciliation, Fostering Peaceful, Inclusive Societies and Countering Violent Extremism.
General Assembly President Sam Kutesa, who opened the discussion, called on the international community to work against intolerance at a critical time when people, communities and nations are grappling with disparity and radicalism.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to defeat terrorism and violent extremism, Lodhi said enhancing understanding of the multifaceted phenomenon does not imply any acceptance or justification.
