Ministry Statements & Speeches:
We commend France for holding this important debate.
The oppression and persecution of religious and ethnic minorities is deplorable, wherever and whenever, and at whose hand it occurs.
That is especially apparent now, with terrorist groups like ISIL posing a direct, complex threat to international peace and security.
Such groups show no respect for national borders, crossing them at will, and drawing support from networks extending to the farthest ends of the earth.
They revel in publicising their atrocities and inciting fear.
It is crucial that the international community acknowledges the threat that they pose; and that we promote the cause of inclusive, multi-cultural, multi-religious societies.
So, we see this debate as an important step in galvanising global momentum towards that end, and in addressing the causes of the conflicts on which these groups thrive.
New Zealand is appalled at the upsurge in violence and persecution of ethnic and religious minorities in many parts of the world.
This issue is not unique to the Middle East, or to any single religion.
Violent extremist groups find traction in times of major societal stress, and diverse, multicultural societies world-wide are affected.
But we are particularly concerned at the brutal and ongoing atrocities in the Middle East.
A report from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights documents recent atrocities perpetrated by ISIL, even suggesting that some of its supporters may have perpetrated genocide against Iraq’s Yezidi Community.
The richness and diversity of the Middle East has been a major contributor to global civilisation; and that richness and diversity must be preserved.
Some of the region’s ethnic and religious communities have traditions that go back millennia.
And, just as we celebrate those traditions, it’s equally important to acknowledge that most Middle Eastern countries have a long history of tolerance, and of managing ethnic and religious diversity.
Current turmoil is bringing communities, which have peacefully co-existed for centuries, into brutal conflict; and it threatens irrevocable damage to the region’s rich social tapestry.
Extremist groups are exploiting instability to establish themselves, and to spread their brutal sectarian agenda – often displaying considerable skills in the use of social media.
The Internet, which was initially largely a product of open, liberal societies, has been turned back on those same societies.
So, what should be the response from affected states and from the international community?
An immediate priority must be to restore security where minorities are particularly vulnerable.
That means achieving stable and inclusive political solutions; and it means providing support to end the conflicts and instability on which extremists groups and their ideologies thrive.
But security based approaches alone cannot succeed.
Affected communities need to find new, post-conflict ways to manage their diversity.
Factors such as economic, social and sectarian discrimination, and inequality, marginalisation, insecurity, and a lack of inclusive and impartial governance, must all be addressed.
This requires strong political will, sustained commitment at all levels of government, and inclusive post-conflict initiatives that don’t entrench existing divisions.
One of the real tests of a society is the extent to which it accommodates minorities; so it’s regrettable that, in these situations, minority voices are all too often side-lined, sowing seeds for more discontent and conflict.
And we need to work with communities.
Violent extremism often has its roots at the community level, and must therefore be defeated at that same community level.
Religious, community and educational leaders play a central role in promoting peace, tolerance and mutual respect.
We urge the United Nations, and individual Member States, to continue promoting anti-radicalisation, and to continue countering violent extremism by involving those leaders in a genuinely meaningful manner.
New Zealand supports projects in our region that enhance community resilience, such as community policing training – which brings together community members and police to apply community policing in ethnically diverse environments.
This Security Council has an important role to play in addressing the persecution and oppression of religious and ethnic minorities, by enhancing community resilience, and by fostering inclusive governance and cross-cultural dialogue; and, as with so much of this Council’s agenda, New Zealand stands ready to contribute to that dialogue.