Anti-Muslim hate crime

Although stereotypes against Muslims are centuries old, in recent years they have evolved and gained momentum under the conditions of the "war on terror", the global economic crisis and challenges related to the management of religious and cultural diversity. Anti-Muslim rhetoric often associates Muslims with terrorism and extremism, or portrays the presence of Muslim communities as a threat to national identity. Muslims are often portrayed as a monolithic group, whose culture is incompatible with human rights and democracy. ODIHR's reporting suggests anti-Muslim hate crimes and incidents increases following terrorist attacks, and on the anniversaries of such attacks. Attacks against mosques – particularly on Fridays and religious holidays – including leaving the remains of pigs outside mosques, community centres and Muslim families' homes, as well as attacks against women wearing headscarves, are among the anti-Muslim hate incidents commonly reported.

Beginning in 2002, OSCE participating States have explicitly condemned acts of discrimination and violence against Muslims and firmly rejected the identification of terrorism and extremism with any religion and culture. The Astana declaration (2010) stressed that international developments and political issues cannot justify any form of intolerance and discrimination against Muslims, and encouraged participating States to challenge anti-Muslim prejudice and stereotypes.

Anti-Muslim hate crimes can be recorded under a variety of categories, including anti-religious hate crimes, crimes motivated by ethnic bias, and can also be reported separately or as racist and xenophobic crime. Muslim NGOs are developing their monitoring capacity through outreach and online reporting, in recognition of the importance of hate crime monitoring as an important advocacy tool. However, a lack of trust in the authorities in some countries also lead to under-reporting of anti-Muslim hate crime, and this appears to have a significant influence on hate crime figures reported to ODIHR.

ODIHR TANDIS

International Reports

OSCE Region

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe expressed concern about violent attacks against religious communities and individuals. The Assembly urged states to condemn, combat and bring to justice cases of violence committed against individuals owing to their religion or beliefs.

At its session dealing with the rights of religious minorities, the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Forum on Minority Issues recommended that states provide for the proper documentation and prosecution of cases of intimidation, attacks or communal violence against members of religious minorities.

The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted Resolution 22/31 on combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of, and discrimination, incitement to violence, and violence against persons based on religion or belief.

The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted Resolution 22/20 on freedom of religion or belief, which condemns acts of violence based on religion or belief and urges states to diligently prevent, investigate and punish such acts.

In his report, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief advocated the implementation by the states of the Rabat Plan of Action on the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.

In its Decision No. 3/13 on “Freedom of Thought, Conscience, Religion or Belief”, the OSCE Ministerial Council called on participating States to prevent intolerance, violence and discrimination on the basis of religion or belief, including against Christians, Jews, Muslims and members of other religions, as well as against non-believers; condemn violence and discrimination on religious grounds; prevent and protect against attacks directed at persons or groups based on thought, conscience, religion or belief; and protect religious sites from vandalism and destruction.