Saudi Arabia's Statement on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at General Assembly Debate on UN Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism

Saudi Arabia, speaking on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, at the General Assembly Debate on the Secretary General's Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism on February 12, 2016, blamed Islamic terrorism on Israel and advocated the quashing of free speech rights in order to avoid offending Muslims. In its words:

"On a comprehensive approach to tackle terrorism, the OIC believes that due attention and concrete plan of actions must address the following aspects and dimensions of the phenomenon of terrorism...The deep impact and legacy of historical injustices done to colonized peoples or those under occupation where sufferings and the forced destruction of their national institutions, culture, and identity and the denial of their rights to self-determination. The potential of external actors penetrating terrorist and extremist groups for the purpose of serving their own political agenda, and the threat of non-Arab and non-Muslim fighters...The OIC expresses serious concern over the increase of intolerance and discrimination against Muslims, resulting in the upsurge of Islamophobia, a phenomenon which is an affront to the human rights and dignity of Muslims...In this regard, the OIC calls upon all states to prevent any advocacy of religious discrimination, hostility, or violence and defamation of Islam by incorporating legal and administrative measures which render defamation illegal and punishable by law and also urges member and observer states to adopt specific and relevant educational measures at all levels..."