In a press release on the forty third session of the UN Normal Meeting’s Committee on Data, held in New York on Wednesday, Majid Takht Ravanchi decried the local weather of intolerance and hate towards Islam and Muslims in varied elements of the world provoked by anti-Muslim media shops and the inflammatory in addition to bigoted rhetoric of sure political figures within the West.
What follows is the total textual content of the Iranian envoy’s speech:
“On the outset, I wish to prolong my gratitude to you and the opposite members of the Bureau on your ready management of the Committee. The Islamic Republic of Iran associates itself with the assertion made by the distinguished consultant of Pakistan on behalf of the G77 and China.
We acknowledge the significance of the Committee on Data as the primary intergovernmental policy-making physique to offer steerage on UN insurance policies within the discipline of communication and public data. We additionally connect nice significance to the work and the perform of the Division of International Communication (DGC) which goals at enabling the UN to ascertain higher communication and connections with the worldwide group and the individuals across the globe by addressing problems with excessive significance for the worldwide group in an neutral and well timed method. In right this moment’s monopolized world of media, the DGC’s function is extra essential than ever in advancing the Group’s wider goals. It should have the ability to convey correct data to the eye of individuals all around the world with the intention to comprise and counter disinformation of all types within the international connectivity matrix.
Mr. Chairman,
Disparity in using data and communications know-how has immeasurably widened the present gaps between the developed and creating nations within the discipline of public data and communication know-how.
Regrettably, sure nations proceed to make the most of their monopoly of recent communication applied sciences to distort and fabricate the occasions and realities in different nations, particularly within the creating world, thus tarnishing the picture and damaging the pursuits of the latter. Such a detrimental and undesirable state of affairs calls for rapid consideration by the worldwide group. Bridging the digital divide between the developed and creating world and inserting data and communications applied sciences on the service of improvement in a good and simply method is a should, and the DGC is anticipated to play a simpler and higher function on this area by, inter alia, elevating public consciousness.
We underscore the significance of making certain that using such applied sciences needs to be totally suitable with the needs and ideas of the Constitution of the United Nations and worldwide legislation, particularly the ideas of sovereignty, the non-interference in inner issues, and the internationally acknowledged guidelines of civil coexistence and pleasant relations amongst States. On this regard, we reiterate our sturdy rejection and condemnation over the misuse of such applied sciences, particularly, by way of the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation by sure nations towards creating nations, together with my Nation.
Distinguished Colleagues,
Below present circumstances arising from COVID-19, the impression of Unilateral Coercive Measures (UCMs), particularly unlawful sanctions, imposes further financial, business and monetary burdens on focused nations. These measures, significantly jeopardize the focused nations’ financial development whereas additionally hampering quick access to primary medical gadgets and necessities by way of tight restrictions on overseas change sources in grave violation of worldwide legislation, worldwide humanitarian legislation and UN Constitution. On this regard, we urge the Division to proceed its efforts in direction of elevating consciousness and disseminating data on the damaging impression of UCMs on the affected nations and their civilian inhabitants.
The present local weather of intolerance and hate towards Islam and Muslims in varied elements of the world provoked by anti-Muslim media shops and the inflammatory in addition to bigoted rhetoric of sure political figures within the West are a matter of grave concern. It’s excessive time for the worldwide group to sentence this phenomenon and take the required measures to fight islamophobia and violation of primary human rights of Muslims. In that regard, we urge the DGC to proceed its efforts in addressing this phenomenon, particularly by way of commemorating March 15 because the Worldwide Day to Fight Islamophobia designated by the GA landmark decision A/RES/76/254.
The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to emphasise the necessary accountability of the United Nations vis- -vis the Query of Palestine. Iran totally helps elevating worldwide consciousness concerning the damaging penalties of the occupation and embargo on Palestinian individuals. We commend the DGC for its particular data program on the query of Palestine, together with the coaching program for Palestinian journalists.
In conclusion, we underline the rising demand for content material in languages along with the official languages of the United Nations. We encourage the Secretariat to proceed exploring options to make sure the issuance of assorted media merchandise in all official languages and non-official languages, together with the Persian language which is spoken by a couple of hundred and twenty million individuals across the globe and broadly thought to be the foundation of nice tradition and civilization and supply of understanding and solidarity amongst a number of nations.
Thanks, Mr. Chairman.”
