Combatting hate speech is a shared responsibility

Addressing and countering hate speech requires a holistic approach, mobilizing society as a whole, United Nations Botswana Resident Coordinator, Zia Choudhury has said.

Choudhury was speaking at an event to commemorate the 2nd International Day for Countering Hate Speech, which is officially observed on 18 June. The UN in Botswana United Nations in Botswana in partnership with University of Botswana, MISA Botswana and Botswana Editors Forum hosted the commemoration of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.

“Hate speech and its consequences goes against fundamental UN values. It also undermines the UN Charter's core principles and objectives, such as respect for human dignity, equality and peace,” he said.

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

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

Launched three years ago by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, these initiatives recognize hate speech as a precursor to atrocity crimes, including genocide and crimes against humanity. They also call for addressing the root causes and drivers.

“Education initiatives, positive speech campaigns, research to understand and address root causes, and efforts to promote inclusion and equal rights all have an important role. Religious, community and business leaders can all play their part,” Choudhury added.

In his message for the Day, Minister for State President, Hon. Kabo N. S. Morwaeng said the impact of hate speech on communities and individuals can be devastating. The world has over time seen and experienced exploitation of the vulnerable through violence, exclusion, discrimination and in worse cases wars.

Today more than ever before, we are faced with the daunting challenge of ensuring that we strongly advocate for unifying and building our communities and societies, fully cognizant that its scale and impact are amplified by powerful technologies of communication. Through technology, the spread of divisive rhetoric and hate ideologies can go viral on a global scale in an instant.

Morwaeng said, “in the digital age, I encourage all relevant stakeholders to support a new generation of digital citizens, empowered to recognize, reject and stand up to hate speech.        I take this opportunity to underscore that my Office remains available to provide support to all relevant stakeholders, and to work with the United Nations to address and counter hate speech in line with the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.”

He further called on civil society and human rights defenders, the private sector, media corporations, faith leaders, educators, youth, and all affected by hate speech to understand that they all have the moral duty to speak out firmly against instances of hate speech and reject any calls to violence.

HOW TO DEAL WITH HATE SPEECH

Hate speech occurs in all societies, whether offline or online. It can sometimes be hard to assess when a comment is meant as hate speech – especially when expressed in the virtual world. It can also feel overwhelming to try to deal with obviously hateful content. However, there are many ways you can take a stand, even if you are not personally the victim of hate speech. And you can make a difference. The following tips may be helpful.

PAUSE

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.

FACT-CHECK

To detect false and biased information, including hate speech propaganda, be sure to check the content’s origin with the help of search engines, factchecking tools and other reliable sources.

EDUCATE

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.

CHALLENGE

You can undermine hateful content with positive messages that spread tolerance, equality and truth in defense of those being targeted by hate.

SUPPORT

Taking a public stand for, and extending solidarity to, people who are the targets of hate speech demonstrates that rejecting hate is the responsibility of every individual.

REPORT

Most online platforms and communities have rules to keep user discussions respectful and will let you easily report hate messages to administrators or moderators.