Moroccan UN expert warns against attempts to demonize Muslims

Ms. Halima Warzazi, a Moroccan expert at the United Nations, on Tuesday warned against attempts to demonize Muslims.

After the September 11th terror attacks against the USA, the term terrorist was used at random, Ms. Warzazi told the U.N. Human Rights Sub-Commission, which was debating terrorism and human rights.

The term terrorism has not yet been defined, she said, adding the panicking reactions that followed the 11/9 attacks can have serious impacts on international law.

"Contrary to what certain milieus seem to try to convince people, religious terrorism is not the act of Muslims in general, but rather that of a limited group of people," said Ms. Warzazi, who added "we have to stand up against all attempts to demonize Muslims."

Violence has causes that should be analyzed and settled, she said, warning if injustice persists, the world will always be prey to the dangers of violence.

The expert cited, in this connection, the example of the situation in Palestine. "The feelings (of Palestinians) should certainly not justify attacks against innocent civilians. However, it would be unrealistic to believe that suicide operations will be controlled in the conditions of injustice currently prevailing," she said.