India condemns violence, persecution in name of religion

UNITED NATIONS: India has strongly condemned the violence perpetrated by extremist groups in the name of religion and ethnicity, emphasising that the need for world community to collectively demonstrate zero-tolerance towards the "strikes at our common humanity" has never been greater.

"Religious, cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity is an essential and indispensable component of the social fabric of human civilisation. Persecution on the basis of this diversity strikes at our common humanity," Deputy Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador Bhagwant Bishnoi said.

Bishnoi voiced deep concern over the activities of the proscribed outfits, radicalised and extremist groups in the Middle East which are critically impacting peace and stability while jeopardising human rights and fundamental freedoms.

"The international community is witness to excesses of terrorism and violent extremism in Middle East and elsewhere. This again highlights that there can be no justification for terrorism and violent extremism.

"The need to collectively demonstrate zero tolerance for terrorism and violent extremism has never been greater," he said at a Security Council debate on 'The victims of attacks and abuse on ethnic or religious grounds in the Middle East.'

He said that efforts must be taken by all parties and stakeholders in the region to curb these dangerous sectarian and extremist trends.

"We believe the consolidation of political processes and solutions while building durable state institutions will be the effective way of addressing such extremism and radicalism in the region," he said.

The Indian envoy called on the international community to take an "unequivocal and resolute" position against violent extremism which is aimed at the destruction of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy, and threatens the territorial integrity and security of the States.