Annan calls for tolerance

UN Secretary-General, Busumuru Kofi Annan on Wednesday called for the building of tolerant communities by affirming the notion of diversity.

In a statement issued in Accra by the UN Information Centre to mark International Day of Tolerance which falls on Thursday, Busumuru Annan said: “On this International Day of Tolerance, let us therefore reaffirm the notion that diversity - in thought, in belief, and in action - is a precious gift, not a threat, and let us seek to build more tolerant communities steeped in this essential ideal.”


Busumuru Annan noted that recent years had witnessed a sharp rise in intolerance, extremism and violence across our world, saying this disturbing trend was fuelled, in part, by a growing tendency to articulate differences in terms of identity rather than in terms of opinions or interests.


“As a result, individuals and entire communities are being targeted for brutality and violence, simply because of their ethnic, religious, national or other identity.

“Such threats, whether large-scale genocide; to the indignities of day-to-day bigotry, should trouble all of us. We must each strive to uphold the principles of tolerance, pluralism, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. We must always be ready to correct stereotypes and distorted images, and to speak up for victims of discrimination.”


Busumuru Annan said combating intolerance was in part a matter of legal protection.
“The right to freedom of religion - and to freedom from discrimination based on religion - has long been enshrined in international law, and incorporated into the domestic law of many countries.


“But the law is only a starting point. Any strategy to build understanding must depend heavily on education – about different religions, traditions and cultures – so that myths and distortions can be seen for what they are.


“We must also create opportunities for young people, offering them a credible alternative to the siren song of hate and extremism. And we must work to prevent the media from being used to spread hatred, or inflict humiliation, while safeguarding freedom of expression.”


Busumuru Annan said in all of this, there was a crucial need for leadership by public figures and institutions. He said the United Nations in addition to its wide-ranging, long-standing work to promote and protect human rights, had launched an “Alliance of Civilizations”, aimed at bridging divides, and at overcoming prejudices and polarizations that potentially threatened world peace.
GNA