United Nations Radio

An offensive anti-Islamic film titled "Fitna" has been condemned by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and several UN Human Rights rapporteurs, as well as by the head of the UN's Alliance of Civilizations, Jorge Sampaio.

The film, by Geert Wilders of the Netherlands, has been posted on the Internet, although the Dutch government made efforts to stop its broadcast. It features violent imagery of extremist attacks, which it linked to verses from the Koran. UN spokesperson Michele Montas (photo) read out Mr. Ban's statement, which says there is no justification for hate speech or incitement to violence.

"We must also recognize that the real fault line is not between Muslim and Western societies, as some would have us believe, but between small minorities of extremists, on different sides, with a vested interest in stirring hostility and conflict."

Mr. Sampaio said the film appears aimed at provoking and prompting social unrest, and encouraging extremist groups within European societies whose agenda is to discriminate and marginalize Muslim immigrants.

The three human rights experts, who report on racism, freedom of religion and freedom of expression, said the film illustrates an increasing pattern that associates Muslims exclusively with violence and terrorism. They called for vigilance and tolerance to avoid a repeat of the violence that followed the publication of Danish cartoons featuring the prophet Mohammed in 2005.

Reporting for UN Radio, I'm Bissera Kostova.