The High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations condemned the desecration of the Holy Qur’an in Sweden, and the repeated violation, including the recent arson incident in the capital, Stockholm.

The High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Miguel Moratinos, referred to his statement on July 15, 2023, in which he reaffirmed that "violating sacred religious Books is not freedom of expression but an expression of contempt and religious hatred."

The High Representative also condemned acts of violence and the storming of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, reaffirming that "the desecration of religious Books and sacred religious places is a disrespectful and provocative act, and such acts often lead to sedition and incitement to violence," stressing that "violence is not an appropriate response at all to provocation," adding that "freedom of assembly is a basic human right."

In this context, the High Representative referred to the United Nations Action Plan for the Protection of Religious Places, led by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, which calls for the promotion of religious pluralism, mutual respect and human dignity./ End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency