Thank you Mr. President.

I deliver this statement on behalf of the three Benelux countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, and my own country, the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

We thank the Special Rapporteur for her insightful report and align ourselves with the EU statement.

The Benelux, like madam Special Rapporteur, is deeply concerned with the rising levels of hate speech and hate crimes, all across the globe. To exhibit hate in the face of people who adhere to a specific religion or belief is to ostracize rather than to build bridges. In these times, with polarisation on the rise both on the global as well as the intra-state levels, it is our duty as representatives here today to stand for fraternity, harmony and deeper mutual respect and understanding.

Our countries have different policies and ways of dealing with these topics. The recommendations, as presented to us here today by madam Special Rapporteur, are a stark reminder that all that is good starts with awareness and education.

We ask the madam special rapporteur: Beyond education—what could be useful tools for us states present here today to nurture more interreligious harmony and mutual respect within our own states?

I thank you.