Takfirism, xenophobia present enormous challenge to world: Iran official

A senior Iranian official has warned against the emergence of radical and xenophobic groups across the globe, warning that they pose a significant challenge to the realization of human rights.

Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi made the comments in an address to the high-level panel of the UN Human Rights Council in the Swiss city of Geneva on Tuesday.

Araqchi warned against the rise of Takfiri outfits in the Middle East besides Islamophobic and xenophobic groups in the West, saying “extremist ideologies - manifested in violent radicalism- have ravaged the Middle East, while distorting and defaming a great religion and demolishing great civilizations at the same time.”

He further emphasized the significance of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s 2013 proposal for the World Against Violence and Extremism (WAVE), saying world leaders need to fully implement the provisions envisaged in the initiative amid efforts to eradicate terrorist outfits.

In December 2013, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to approve a resolution approving Rouhani’s WAVE proposal, which calls on all nations across the world to denounce violence and extremism.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister further underlined the need for efforts to eliminate the root causes of extremism and the vicious cycle of Takfiri ideologies, which tend to brainwash the youth into perpetrating acts of terror.

Araqchi also called for an end to the ideological, financial and military support for violent extremists such as Daesh elements, demanding an immediate cessation of the marginalization and disrespect for religions such as Islam and their followers.

Turning to the brutal Saudi war on Yemen, the Iranian diplomat stated that attacks on homes, mosques, schools as well as hospitals run by the UN in the Arab country has resulted in the deaths of innocent Yemenis.

He also warned that the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen has also created a power vacuum, and offered the al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula the chance to strengthen its foothold there.

Araqchi then called on the international community not to stand idly in the face of the bombardment of Yemeni civilians, which could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, but rather use all available means to terminate the massacre and bring those responsible to justice.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian diplomat called for an immediate end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands and its systematic violation of human rights, noting that the Tel Aviv regime has generally ignored the Human Rights Council resolutions.

Araqchi also expressed regret over the instrumental abuse of human rights and relevant UN mechanism, stressing that the practice will definitely undermine the credibility and work of the Human Rights Council.

He emphasized that interaction and dialogue constitute Iran’s principled policies, and the Islamic Republic stands strongly committed to such principles.

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