The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has voiced concern over what she said was a rise in racist and intolerant rhetoric in West European politics.
Addressing the UN Human Rights Council's 26th Session on Tuesday in the UN Office at Geneva, she said the change was not confined to particular political groups.
Pillay told delegates: "I am disturbed by the recent increase across the political spectrum in several states in Western Europe of a discourse rooted in anti-immigrant and racist sentiment and religious intolerance."
"There is a road to the perpetration of human rights violations. And hate speech – particularly by political leaders – is on that road."
Pillay reminded her audience that "the new European Parliament will include a German party leader who has said: 'Europe is the continent of white people and it should remain that way'".
- 'Xenophobic division'
She added: "A French party leader has compared peaceful Muslim street prayers to the military occupation of her country by the Nazis."
"Expressions of racial, religious or xenophobic division that overtly call for, or suggest, targeted actions against minority groups, should be anathema in every Member State of the United Nations."
During her speech, Pillay listed a series of current human rights challenges in countries around the world.
On Syria, she said: "The people of Aleppo live in conditions that should outrage the conscience of humanity."
"I deplore the fact that repeated calls to end the violence, and seek a just and peaceful solution, have been ignored by the Syrian Government and by some opposition groups."
"It is shocking beyond words that war crimes and crimes against humanity have become commonplace and occur with complete impunity."
"I remain deeply troubled by deaths and injuries resulting from excessive use of force by Israeli security forces," Pillay said.
- Israel criticized
On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, she said Israeli authorities should respect international norms.
"I am also concerned by continued demolitions and evictions of Palestinians, particularly with respect to recent developments in the so-called E-l area, in the periphery of East Jerusalem," said Pillay.
She highlighted "Palestine has deposited instruments of accession to several international treaties – commendably, with not a single reservation."
Talking on the subject of Ukraine, she said: "I hope that the new government will address the human rights challenges in Ukraine, and I encourage it to devise a comprehensive human rights reform plan that includes accountability for violations."
The 26th session of the Council, aimed at addressing human rights violations and emergencies, will last until 27 June.
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