Guterres called for action as hate speech spread to new platforms online

António Guterres speaks at the opening global conference on enhancing interfaith and cultural dialogue held at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday.

“In its worst forms, hate speech incites violence, fuels conflict, and contributes to atrocity crimes – including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing.,” He said.

“We’ve seen this happen before and we’re seeing it happen now. And we can’t let it continue.”

‘Weaponizing new technology’

The Secretary General quotes from UN Charter which commits the world community to “practising tolerance and living together peacefully with each other as good neighbors”.

Although the Organization has tried hard to fulfill that promise, “hate speech has always run counter to this vision,” he told participants.

“And today, that is Toxic messages spread quickly and deeplyhe said.

“Taking new forms. Finding new paths. And weaponizing new technologies, from digital platforms and algorithms to Artificial Intelligence.”

Common humanity is put to the test

He warned about it the increasing reach of hate speech “tests our shared humanity” by eroding trust, dividing communities, and dehumanizing entire groups. It also attacks and weakens “our capacity to accept, empathize, understand, and respect diversity.”

The Secretary General said racism, misogyny and xenophobia were being celebrated. At the same time, antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred, discrimination against minority Christian communities, and hatred against other religious and ethnic groups are being normalized.

Take action now

“We must raise our collective voice and reject hate. And we must redouble our efforts to tackle hate speech, both online and offlinehe said.

He emphasized the need to address the root causes, drivers and consequences by strengthening inclusive dialogue between countries, cultures and religions based on respect and equality.

He also explained clearly that “restricting hate speech does not mean eliminating freedom of expression, but freedom of expression must not be an excuse to cause or increase harm.”

‘Shared responsibility’

The Secretary-General said the international community already knows how to stop the damage caused by hate speech and pointed to two UN initiatives in this regard, viz Strategy and Action Plan for Handling Hate Speech and it Action Plan to Protect Religious Places.

“But we cannot tackle hate speech alone,” he said.

“Governments, regional and multilateral organizations, the private sector, and civil society – including religious communities, academia, and the media – have a common role.assume responsibility to help build a peaceful, just and inclusive society.”

Insisting that “we all have a role to play,” the Secretary-General concluded his speech by delivering an important message to the international community.

“We must work together to foster mutual understanding,” he said. “To end the tragic cycle of fear, hatred and violence. And to build the cohesive and stable society envisioned in the Charter.”