Council on human rights Forum on Minority Issues Sixth session 26-27th November 2013 Speech given by Mr Elias Khouri, representative of the Union of Arab Jurists (UJA) Mister President, I will begin by mentioning article 20 from the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. I quote: 1. Any war propaganda for war shall be prohibited by law. 2. Any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law. Several months ago, leaders of major countries such as America, Great Britain and France undertook to advocate war against Syria. Israel (which pursues a policy of force within its borders rather than using legal power) supported them. So did the leaders of Turkey and the Gulf states who showed their support by putting their airports and ports at the disposal of the powers who were carrying out violence on Syria. All these actions violate the international convention, in addition, to violating the aims and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Moreover, in the last few years, calls have arisen from Jihadis and Salafis inciting extremism, hatred and denial of the other, from the mouths of men of religion invoking civil strife and hatred in peaceful societies. These movements are supported politically and financially by some countries and institutions which claim to defend and respect human rights.