UN General Assembly session: President asks UN to criminalise hate speech

In his address, Zardari condemns anti-Islam movie.

NEW YORK:

Beseeching the international community to not become “silent observers”, President Asif Ali Zardari has moved the United Nations to immediately take notice of the anti-Islam movie — insisting such acts be criminalised.

At the outset of his speech at the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the president said: “Before I take up my speech, I want to express the strongest condemnation for the acts of incitement of hate against the faith of billions of Muslims of the world and our beloved prophet, Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him).”

Categorically condemning the controversial movie that has sparked angry protests across the Muslim world, President Zardari said: “The International community must not become silent observers and should criminalise such acts that destroy the peace of the world and endanger world security by misusing freedom of expression.

“Pakistan moves the United Nations to immediately address in earnest this alarming concern and the widening rift to enable the comity of nations to be one again,” he asserted.

“I am not here to answer questions about Pakistan. I am here to ask some questions on behalf of my people,” he told the UN General Assembly.

“On behalf the two year old baby who was killed in the bombing at Lahore’s Moon Market on December 7, 2009... On behalf of the traders and entrepreneurs in Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore and Karachi, of the dozens of marketplaces that have been ravaged by multiple bombings. Over and over and over again. And perhaps most of all, on behalf of my three children, whose mother [Benazir Bhutto] was also martyred by terrorists...

“[I ask] How much more suffering can Pakistan endure?”

Terrorism

President Zardari said that terrorism and extremism had not only destroyed human lives, torn social fabric, and devastated the economy of Pakistan but the rest of the world.

“Our economy, our lives, our ability to live... have been challenged. Globally, we face enormous challenges,” he conceded. “Our condition today is a product of dictatorships.”

Emphasising that no country and no people had suffered more in the epic struggle against terrorism than Pakistan, the president said that drone strikes and civilian casualties have continued to add to the complexity of this war.

Rebutting critics and constant demands to do more, he said: “To those who say we have not done enough, I say in all humility: Please do not insult the memory of our dead, and the pain of our living. Do not ask of my people, what no one has ever asked of any other peoples. Do not demonise the innocent women and children of Pakistan.”

Foreign policy

Discussing Pakistan’s foreign policy, he said that the country’s strategic partnership which China was growing from strength to strength.

Reiterating Pakistan’s support for a sovereign, stable and secure Afghanistan, President Zardari said: “We have begun to engage and deepen our friendship with the entire range of the Afghan political spectrum. We believe that a sovereign, stable and secure Afghanistan is good for the Afghan people. And what is good for the Afghan people is good for Pakistan.”

Using the occasion to bring to light the issue of the Afghan refugees, he said that “our hearts and homes remain open to our Afghan brothers”, adding that it was imperative for the international community to support the three million Afghan refugees in Pakistan in their quest to return home with dignity.

“A brighter Afghan future will only be possible when the search for peace is Afghan-owned, Afghan-driven and Afghan-led,” he stated.

Future prospects

After highlighting the issues facing the country, the president emphasised on the importance of “collective efforts and commitment” which will provide a better future for Pakistan.

He stated that the goal is to achieve a permanent democratic future for Pakistan.

“It has not been easy,” he said. “But nothing worth fighting for is easy. We long ago stopped thinking of doing what is easy.

“Instead, we have committed ourselves to doing what is right.


Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th, 2012.