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

Reports

Overview of incidents reported by civil society

Attacks Against People Attacks Against Property Total
Violent Attacks Threats
84 50 179 313

International Reports

France

In his country visit report, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe expressed concern at rising racist, anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim and homophobic rhetoric and acts. He stressed that the existing, solid legal framework needs to be complemented by more preventive and awareness-raising measures.

OSCE Region

In his "Report on combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief," the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights noted that extremism and radicalization, often leading to hate crimes and violence, need to be addressed. This can be done through police and security responses, community engagement, and data gathering and monitoring, among other actions.

The United Nations General Assembly (GA) adopted resolution 68/127 on combating violence and violent extremism, condemning all forms of violent extremism and underlining the importance of civil society in generating public awareness to the dangers of extreme violence. It recommends promoting community engagement in countering violent extremism.

The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted resolution 25/12 on freedom of religion or belief, condemning violence and acts of terrorism targeting people belonging to religious minorities and emphasizing that States should diligently prevent, investigate and punish such acts.

The United Nations General Assembly (GA) adopted resolution 68/170 on freedom of religion or belief, condemning violence based on religion or belief and reminding States of their obligation to diligently prevent, investigate and punish acts of violence against people belonging to religious minorities.

In resolution 68/169 on "Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief," the United Nations General Assembly (GA) expressed concern that the number of incidents of religious intolerance, discrimination and related violence continues to rise around the world. The resolution also called for interreligious, interfaith and intercultural dialogue at the local, national, regional and international levels.