White supremacist and neo-Nazi movements are emerging as an international threat, according to the UN chief. On Monday opening the Human Rights Council, piloted online from Geneva, Antonio Guterres called for global action against them.
Less than two months after the assault on Capitol Hill in the United States, the UN secretary general accused these extremist movements of using the pandemic and social and political divisions to expand. These constitute “the greatest threat to the internal security of several countries”, he said, without naming any of these states. “All too often, these hate groups are encouraged by people in positions of responsibility,” he lamented.
There too, he did not mention anyone, especially not former US President Donald Trump, accused of having fueled recent violence in his country. And Mr. Guterres to target fundraising, online discussions and collaboration between these movements. “It is only through concerted action on a global scale that we can put an end to this threat” which is spreading “by the day”, he adds.
Systemic racism must again be discussed in the Council which meets for a month and promises to be more polarized than ever. In addition to the American re-engagement as an observer, China, Russia, France and Great Britain are making their return among the members of the body.
In his speech, Mr. Guterres again called for putting human rights at the center of regulations and laws on digital technologies. He noted that the pandemic has increased concern over digital platforms and the ‘misuse of data’ by citizens, including governments.
The UN Secretary General also reiterated his warnings against growing inequalities and discrimination against women and minorities that are increasing with the coronavirus. He again called for collaboration on vaccines against the pandemic.
/ ATS
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