PGA says fighting hate speech ‘responsibility to all’

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau

UNITED NATIONS, 20th June. President of the General Assembly Csaba Kőrösi said on Monday that countering hate speech is a key component of atrocity prevention, called for more global action to eradicating the scourge.

Mr. Kőrösi was speaking at an event to commemorate the 2nd International Day for Countering Hate Speech is officially observed on 18 June.

He said “It would be my wish that we would not have to observe this day. It would be my wish that hate speech were a thing of the past.”.

UN noted that hate speech is most often directed at women and girls, ethnic and religious minorities, and migrants and refugees.

Mr. Kőrösi noted that it is spreading on social media and online, “feeding a global rise in violence”. Some companies are also profiting from advertisements interspersed with online manifestations of hate speech.

“As new channels reach wider audiences, tech companies are struggling to take action,” he said.

“How can we, the international community, step up our response? This is a question of responsibilities. Shared responsibilities”

Mr. Kőrösi said the International Day encourages everyone to do their part by identifying hate speech early, confronting it directly and halting it immediately.

UN Strategy and Plan of Action on the issue “offer us a firm step in the right direction,” he stressed.

Secretary-General António Guterres launched these initiatives recognize hate speech as a precursor to atrocity crimes, including genocide and crimes against humanity.

They call to address the root causes and drivers.

Mr. Guterres said UN offices and teams across the world are confronting hate speech by implementing local action plans, based on the strategy.

“The United Nations is consulting governments, technology companies and others on a voluntary Code of Conduct for information integrity on digital platforms, aimed at reducing the spread of mis and disinformation and hate speech, while protecting freedom of expression,” he added.

The commemorative event was organized by Morocco and the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect.

Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide delivered his message.

She said that as the Organization’s “global focal point for hate speech”, her Office will continue to prioritize UN response efforts, both online and off.

“We need action that addresses the impact hate speech has on those targeted and more broadly on society from a prevention perspective. We also need to ensure that we address its root causes by promoting inclusion, non-discrimination and protecting civil space,” she said.

She reiterated that some of the crucial work carried out has involved strengthening partnerships, including with the sports world, tech and social media companies, traditional religious leaders, civil society and young people.

Ms. Nderitu highlighted the value of country-led efforts, including through regional initiatives, which “continues to be crucial if we are to turn the tide on (hate speech.”

Morocco efforts led to the 2021 UN General Assembly resolution to establish the International Day.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Morocco Nasser Bourita said that it represents “a real call to action to face up to this insidious scourge, which undermines peace, stability and development and undermines human dignity and human rights.”

He said Morocco has always prioritized the values of coexistence, dialogue, respect for religions and beliefs, pluralism, and diversity.

Mr. Bourita highlighted some of the Government’s initiatives in this regard.

He said after a surge in anti-immigrant and anti-refugee hate speech elsewhere, his country has instead endorsed the values of acceptance, coexistence and integration “which have earned Morocco its status as a welcoming land for many African, European, Asian and Middle Eastern nationals.”

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