UNESCO denounces posting of anti-Islam movie 'Fitna'

UNESCO General Director, Koïchiro Matsuura, denounced on Monday the online posting of the anti-Islam film "Fitna", which was directed by Dutch right-wing MP, Geert Wilders.

    "There are no justifications to such an expression of hatred and incitement to violence," Mr. Matsuura said in a press release, noting that he shares the condemnation expressed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

   Mr. Matsuura urged the communities of "different cultures and religions to avoid all escalation of violence."

    The UN Secretary General had strongly condemned the posting of this movie, deeming that "there are no justification for such a discourse of hatred."

  The release, last Thursday, of the movie triggered mass indignation throughout the world, including the Dutch government.

According to Dutch Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, "this movie lumps together Islam and violence, and has no other goal but to offend."

MAP