Countries are using the coronavirus to repress and persecute
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, I am
To meet the challenge of the COVID-19 crisis, we must courageously unite around our shared humanity and commitment to protecting and defending human rights for all. This is not only the right thing to do but also the only way to ensure our communities and our countries emerge safely and
History provides many examples of how stress and uncertainty foster hate during a public health emergency. Hate distracts from the real risks and challenges of mitigating the spread of disease and gives power to voices of stigma, discrimination, and violence.
In the 14th century, the Black Death unleashed blame and violence against Catalans, Roma, and, most especially, Jews. In the 20th century, dehumanizing
Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, I have
Despite this, history also tells us that our response to difficult circumstances can be to rise above them together. And in the United States and around the world we are also seeing examples every day of faith communities stepping up to help, demonstrating in words and actions that societies are more resilient when we put our collective efforts to overcoming crises like COVID-19.
The organization United Sikhs have fed more than one million people in need around the world; the global Jewish refugee resettlement agency HIAS is providing phone and video-based mental health services for refugees in Panama; Christian community-
Faith leaders, including Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama, have issued clarion calls to equip healthcare
Pandemics can spawn hostility or discrimination, but they can also birth unity of purpose, compassion, and collective action against a common foe – the disease and its costs. Our daily lives can serve as examples of people from all walks of life working together and supporting each other.
Prejudice, xenophobia, and violence are not inevitable and do nothing to protect public health. They will not further governments’ aims in stopping the spread of the virus nor will they protect communities, neighborhoods, families, and individuals. Together, through carefully considered, unified action, we can overcome this pandemic and future challenges.
We must not wait for more incidents or tragedies to learn the value of mutual respect. While we are focused on working together to overcome this pandemic, we cannot let things like hate and intolerance seize this moment. Together, through our common humanity, we can stop the violence, end the discrimination, and emerge stronger from this pandemic than we were before.
Sam Brownback is The United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.
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