Statement by Ambassador Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations at the High-Level Thematic Debate of the General Assembly on "Promoting Tolerance and Reconciliation: Fostering Peaceful, Inclusive Societies and Countering Violent Extremism" (21 April 2015)

Excellencies,

Mr. President,

Distinguished participants,

On behalf of Pakistan’s delegation, I thank you, Mr. President, the Secretary General and High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, for jointly convening this important debate and for their perceptive and thoughtful statements.

  1. Violent extremism poses one of the world’s most imposing challenges today. It affects us all; as states and societies. Its manifestations and drivers are not intrinsic or extrinsic to any culture, religion or society. It has both local and international dimensions, with a complex interplay between them.
  2. In an interconnected and globalized world, lack of sufficient understanding of this evolving phenomenon, which mutates faster than our ability to comprehend it, means that it is hard to arrive at definitive conclusions.
  3. A two-pronged approach is therefore essential. A clear understanding and informed discussion about its nature and dimensions along with efforts to address underlying causes so as to construct and shape narratives as well as strategies and responses. The convening of this debate is therefore timely and welcome.
  4. The UN has an important role to play. Full and effective implementation of the UN’s Global Counter Terrorism Strategy, in particular its Pillar One is critical.

Mr. President,

  1. Conditions conducive to the spread of different forms of violent extremism include, inter alia, festering, unresolved conflicts, socio-economic marginalization 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.
  2. In recent years, 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.
  3. Enhancing understanding of this multifaceted phenomenon does not imply any acceptance or justification. Pakistan unequivocally condemns terrorism and violent extremism, committed by whomsoever, wherever and for whatever purpose.

Mr. President,

  1. Building resilience in communities and societies is essential for an effective strategy. This means mobilizing the support and trust of local communities to evolve a successful CVE strategy.
  2. Education and educational programmes have a key role to play. But they must be nationally owned and led. Past experience suggests that initiatives that lack full national ownership and engagement often do not succeed. Curriculum lies at the heart of educational efforts and should therefore focus on promoting tolerance, harmony, and reconciliation. Understanding among civilizations and respect for other faiths should be inculcated from the very start.
  3. The role of religious leaders is vital in fostering community resilience. They can help to counter and de-legitimize acts of violence, regardless of justifications or motivations. Pakistan has taken important steps in this direction. Our religious leaders and scholars have issued fatwas – religious edicts – to counter extremist ideology and actions.
  4. Promotion of inter-faith harmony is important to counter extremist narratives, correct common stereotypes and promote tolerance. In what must be a multi-stakeholder enterprise, political and faith leaders, the media and civil society, women and the young, all have a role to play.

Mr. President,

  1. As part of its National Action Plan to Counter Terrorism, Pakistan has adopted a comprehensive strategy to address violent extremism. The plan involves a crackdown on hate speech and material, steps against religious persecution, regulation of religious schools or madrassas, preventing the misuse of places of worship and measures against the use of social media for terrorism or its glorification.
  2. Recognizing the need to focus on youth, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif launched a Special Programme that focuses on offering economic opportunities to them.
  3. At the UN, Pakistan joins hands with the Philippines to present the General Assembly resolution on the promotion of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue.
  4. At the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Pakistan coordinates and leads the OIC Group position on the HRC resolution on combating intolerance, discrimination and violence on the basis of religion or belief.
  5. Pakistan has also been an unstinting supporter of the UN Alliance of Civilizations. We have designated a national Focal Point for the Alliance and have been closely following its activities at the UN and around the world.
  6. These initiatives at the national and international level are emblematic of Pakistan’s unequivocal commitment to defeat violent extremism and promote a culture of dialogue, understanding and cooperation between all religions and civilizations of the world.

Mr. President,

  1. We look forward to the Summit on this issue in September. We trust that all member states will be consulted in formulating plans and programmes for countering violent extremism. This Assembly has a leading role to play in this regard. We propose the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly to develop an effective CVE strategy in collaboration with relevant UN bodies.
  2. While we may belong to different faiths and cultures, we have a shared destiny that unites us in our common endeavor to build a culture of peace and harmony.

I thank you, Mr. President.