Hate speech is a warning sign and a driver of violence, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said.
The UN chief warned the global community ahead of Wednesday’s International Day for Countering Hate Speech that “It [hate speech] is an alarm bell: the louder it rings, the greater the threat of genocide,” he warned.
As part of its core mission to combat hatred, discrimination, racism, and inequality, the UN is stepping up efforts to challenge hate speech wherever it arises.
“Hate speech is poison in the well of society. It has paved the way for violence and atrocities during the darkest chapters of human history,” Guterres added.
According to the UN, hate speech often fuels violence and intolerance, with ethnic and religious minorities among the most frequent targets.
While the destructive power of hatred is nothing new, today it is being amplified by modern communication technologies.
Online hate speech has become one of the most prevalent means of spreading divisive narratives, posing a growing threat to peace and security around the world.
The European Union (EU), on its part, risks the digital age in fueling hate speech.
“Hate speech is not new, but, fueled by the anonymity and viral nature of digital platforms, it now travels faster and further. These new arenas for hate speech carry the potential for more devastating consequences—accelerating discrimination, creating hostile environments, or inciting violence, including hate crimes. As we mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, we cannot ignore the real risks of our digital and internet age, including the growing incidence and impact of online hate speech and the escalating dangers posed by generative artificial intelligence (AI).
It also mentioned in a post Wednesday that hate speech disproportionately targets marginalized communities, such as ethnic minorities, migrants, and persons with disabilities, as well as women and girls, including those from these communities.
“This further amplifies fear and compounds structural inequalities and social exclusion. Children are especially vulnerable to online hate speech, with such exposure potentially permanently negatively impacting their well-being and development.”
The United Nations General Assembly designated June 18th as the International Day on Countering Hate Speech through resolution A/RES/75/309, which was adopted in 2021.