Deputy Ambassador James Ford reaffirms the UK's commitment to
tackling anti Muslim hatred and promoting tolerance and
non-discrimination and the enjoyment of human rights for all.
"Thank you, Mr Chair.
The United Kingdom reiterates its firm commitment to tolerance,
non‑discrimination, and the full enjoyment of human rights for
all. These principles are at the heart of the OSCE's
comprehensive approach to security. When they are undermined, our
societies become less cohesive, less resilient, and less safe.
We thank Türkiye for raising this important issue today.
Anti‑Muslim hatred is a serious and persistent problem across the
OSCE area. No one should face intimidation, discrimination or
violence because they are Muslim or perceived to be Muslim.
According to the UK's most recent official statistics, 45% of
police-recorded religious hate crimes targeted Muslims – a level
that has been high for many years. This month, the UK Government
adopted a new non‑statutory definition of Anti‑Muslim Hostility.
This definition was informed by the work of an independent expert
working group and a broad evidence‑gathering process.
The definition has a clear purpose within the UK: to improve
understanding of unacceptable hostility targeting Muslims and
those perceived to be Muslim, and to provide a practical
framework for action. The definition helps public authorities,
employers and services recognise when behaviour crosses the line
into targeted hostility, unlawful discrimination or prejudicial
stereotyping intended to encourage hatred.
Domestically, this sits alongside wider work to tackle all forms
of religiously motivated hate crime and to strengthen social
cohesion. The UK continues to support security measures for
places of worship, to fund monitoring and victim‑support
services, and to promote dialogue between communities. We
recognise that antisemitism, anti‑Muslim hatred and other forms
of hatred often rise together and must be addressed together.
Internationally, the UK remains committed to championing freedom
of religion or belief for all, and to implementing our OSCE human
dimension commitments. We will continue to support ODIHR and the
OSCE's Personal Representatives on tolerance and
non‑discrimination, and to share good practice, including on
the implementation of non‑statutory definitions at a
national level such as the IHRA working definition of
antisemitism and, now, our definition of Anti‑Muslim Hostility.
Across the OSCE region, we must resist efforts to instrumentalise
religion for political ends, and we must confront disinformation
and narratives that inflame tensions between communities. The
United Kingdom will continue to work with participating States,
OSCE institutions and civil society to ensure that every
individual can live free from fear, and that diversity is
recognised as a source of strength, not division.
Thank you, Mr Chair."
