缅北禁地

Understanding hate speech

Hate speech and real harm

There are historical precedents showing that hate speech can be a precursor to atrocity crimes.

In recent years, the world has witnessed several mass atrocities. In many of these cases, hate speech was identified as a “precursor to atrocity crimes, including genocide”. While the use of social media and digital platforms to spread hatred is relatively recent, the weaponization of public discourse for political gain is unfortunately not new. As history continues to show, hate speech coupled with disinformation can lead to stigmatization, discrimination and large-scale violence.

Can Hate Speech Ignite Genocide? | When Words Kill
Hate Speech & the Consequences Explained | What You Can Do to Prevent the Next Atrocity
 
 
“Over the past 75 years, hate speech has been a precursor to atrocity crimes, including genocide, from Rwanda to Bosnia to Cambodia.”

— United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, June 2019