In May 2019, the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech was launched highlighting that a disturbing groundswell of xenophobia, racism and intolerance is being observed around the world. Social media and other forms of communication are being exploited as platforms for bigotry. Public discourse is being weaponized for political gain with incendiary rhetoric that stigmatizes and dehumanizes minorities, migrants, refugees, women and any so-called “other”.
Hate speech is a menace to democratic values, social stability and peace. As a matter of principle, hate speech must be confronted at every turn and be tackled in order to prevent armed conflict, atrocity crimes and terrorism, end violence against women and other serious violations of human rights, and promote peaceful, inclusive and just societies.
The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief addressed increasing limitations on freedom of expression related to religion or belief that take the form of anti hate speech laws, read the 2019 report (A/HRC/40/58).
EVENTS "NO TO HATE." International Day to Counter Hate Spech 2022
Hate speech and incitement to hatred or violence. Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
Violence in “the name of religion” is often manifested through targeted attacks on individuals or communities, acts of extremism or terrorism, communal violence, State repression, discriminative policies or legislation and other types of embedded structural violence. Incidents involving hate speech, negative stereotyping, and advocacy of religious or national hatred have resulted in killings of innocent people, attacks on places of worship and calls for reprisals. Such violence also disproportionately targets religious dissidents, members of religious minorities, converts or non-believers.
The UN Rabat Plan of Action stresses the collective responsibility of public officials, religious and community leaders, the media and individuals, and the need to nurture social consciousness, tolerance, mutual respect, and intercultural dialogue to prevent incitement to hatred.
Read the Special Rapporteur’s reports on violence committed “in the name of religion” (A/HRC/28/66) and on the need to tackle manifestations of collective religious hatred (A/HRC/25/58).
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