PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly designated the International Day on Countering Hate Speech; 18 June by the resolution A/RES/75/309. Hate speech is not only a denial of the essential values of the Organization, but it also undermines the UN Charter's very core principles and objectives, such as respect for human dignity, equality, and peace. Hate speech is on the rise worldwide with the potential to incite violence, undermine social cohesion and tolerance, and cause psychological, emotional, and physical harm to those affected. Hate speech not only affects the specific individuals and groups targeted, but societies at large. The devastating effect of hatred is sadly nothing new. However, its scale and impact are amplified today by new technologies of communication, so much so that hate speech, has become one of the most frequent methods for spreading divisive rhetoric and ideologies on a global scale. If left unchecked, hate speech can even harm peace and development, as it lays the ground for conflicts and tensions, wide scale human rights violations.
FORUM: "Investing in the power of youth for countering and addresing hate speech." International Day for Countering Hate Speech 2024. Empowering youth to combat hate speech is crucial in today's world, where they are not only the targets but also influential voices in their communities. With 1.2 billion young people globally, their role in recognizing, raising awareness, and countering hateful narratives cannot be overstated. As peers, they have significant sway over each other and can drive meaningful change by speaking out against hate speech. By engaging youth leaders and providing them with the resources and platforms they need, we can harness their energy and creativity to foster more inclusive and tolerant societies. There are numerous examples of successful youth-led initiatives in this regard, showcasing the potential for positive change when young people are empowered to take action against hate speech. The impact of hate speech cuts across numerous UN areas of focus, from protecting human rights and preventing atrocities to sustaining peace, achieving gender equality and supporting children and youth; The 3rd International Day for Countering Hate Speech serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to address this issue. It coincides with the five-year mark since the launch of the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, highlighting the ongoing commitment to this cause. Both online and offline, youth are at the forefront of efforts to combat hate speech. Their innovative approaches and willingness to confront difficult issues make them invaluable agents of change. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #HateSpeech, #18june, #NotoHate, #CounteringHateSpeech.
EVENTS: To observe the International Day for Countering Hate Speech 2024, the United Nations invites governments, international organizations, civil society groups, and individuals to hold events and other initiatives to promote strategies to identify, address and counter hate speech. At UNHQ - The High-level event to mark the 3rd International Day for Countering Hate Speech will be held on Tuesday, June 18th, 2024 from 11:00 - 1:00pm EDT (New York time) at the United Nations ECOSOC Chamber in New York. The United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect and the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations will host a high-level event to highlight the importance of investing in the power and voice of youth to counter hate speech. Get the flyer!
At UNHQ an High-level event opening Segment organized by the President of the General Assembly; the Secretary General of the United Nations; the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations; the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide will highlight the importance of investing in the power and voice of youth to counter hate speech. This year will mark the 3rd International Day for Countering Hate Speech and the five years since the launch of the UN Strategy and Plan of Action. To mark the International Day, the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations and the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide are organizing a High-level Event that would focus on the importance of engaging with youth in efforts to counter and address hate speech. The Event would also focus on the importance of investing in the power and voice of youth to counter hate speech. Indeed, engaging with youth is a key component of the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech which stresses the role of education and that in the digital age, the United Nations should support a new generation of digital citizens, empowered to recognize, reject, and stand up to hate speech. The Objectives are to:
Bring further attention to the importance of tackling hate speech, in all its forms and manifestations.
Highlight the important role of youth in countering and addressing hate speech.
Hear from youth voices on their experience, concerns, and recommendations on what more needs to be done to tackling hate speech.
Read the agenda programme and watch the livestream!
PUBLICATIONS: A Feature-Based Approach to Assess Hate Speech in User Comments. Hate speech in user comments is a serious challenge for media actors, platforms, legal authorities, and the general public alike. This form of communication can impair the quality of online discussions, but also poison public discourse and civic life - Different Understandings in the Study of Hate Speech - What is Hate Speech? - The Study of Online Hate Speech in Different Research Disciplines -Hate Speech in Computer Science Research - Hate Speech in Social Sciences and Humanities -Conceptualization of Hate Speech: A Feature-Based Approach - Features of Hate Speech - Advantages of a Feature-based Approach.
The Future of Free Speech, Trolls, Anonymity and Fake News Online - Many experts fear uncivil and manipulative behaviors on the internet will persist – and may get worse. This will lead to a splintering of social media into AI-patrolled and regulated ‘safe spaces’ separated from free-for-all zones. Some worry this will hurt the open exchange of ideas and compromise privacy.
STATEMENTS: Read the statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day for Countering Hate Speech 2024; June 18th.
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Say No to hate speech. Refrain from making any hateful comments yourself and/or relaying such content. Whether online or offline, we should all act responsibly to stop the spread of hate and misinformation. Get the campaign materials!
PODCASTS: Develop strategies to identify, address and counter hate speech at the national and global levels.You can help raise awareness of hate speech online or offline simply by engaging with your family and friends in conversations about how hateful content can harm societies. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
Xenophobia, misogyny, racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and intolerance are exponentially growing phenomena, amplified by information communication technologies and social media. Hate speech in all its many forms incites violence, sows discord, and threatens peace and stability around the world. Advancing human rights and fighting hate are at the heart of the Organization’s mission and the United Nations has the duty to confront the global issue of hate speech at every turn. The impact of hate speech cuts across numerous existing United Nations areas of focus, from human rights protection and prevention of atrocity crimes to sustaining peace and achieving gender equality and supporting children and youth.
ACTIONS
Mobilize the world against hatred of all kinds to defend human rights and advance the rule of law.
Enhance United Nations efforts to address the root causes and drivers of hate speech
Enable effective UN Responses to the impact of hate speech on societies
Follow the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech launched on 18 June 2019 is the first UN system-wide initiative designed to tackle hate speech. It provides an essential framework for how the Organization can support and complement States' efforts. The strategy emphasizes the need to counter hate holistically and with full respect for freedom of opinion and expression, while working in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including civil society organizations, media outlets, tech companies and social media platforms.
PARTNERSHIPS
The International Day of Countering Hate Speech is hosted by the United Nations Information Centres; The Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism; The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA); The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA);The United Nations Peacekeeping; The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); The United Nations Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC); The Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR); The U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR); The UNODC Youth Initiative; The UN-Habitat Youth; The ECOSOC Youth Forum Assembly and the United Nations Youth.