Statement By UN Resident Coordinator on 1st International Day for Countering Hate Speech

Hate speech is on the rise worldwide. It is a menace to democratic values, social stability and peace. As a matter of principle, hate speech must be confronted at every turn and be tackled in order to prevent armed conflict, atrocity crimes and terrorism, end violence against women and other serious violations of human rights, and promote peaceful, inclusive and just societies.

While the digital transformation, new technologies and communication has brought us together and connected us as global citizens, it has also amplified the scale and impact of hate speech. 

Hate speech is entering the mainstream, spreading like wildfire through social media.

June 18, 2022 is the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. The first ever commemoration following the passage of UN General Assembly Resolution 75/309 in July 2021. The resolution recognized the need to counter discrimination, xenophobia and hate speech and called on all relevant actors, including States, to increase their efforts to address this phenomenon, in line with international human rights law.

Today as we mark the 1st International Day for Countering Hate Speech, I urge you to pause and think how each one of us can contribute making the day a success.

Bangladesh is a pioneer of two “Culture of Peace” resolutions at the United Nations and a strong advocate of “Friendship to all, malice to none.” Countering Hate Speech contributes to continued peace and builds bridges across ethnic, religious and geographic divides in Bangladesh and across the region. Let’s think about Hate Speech and how it can affect each of us, our communities or societies and how we can each play a role in preventing and countering it.

Hate speech undermines our shared values and it is crucial for all of us to join hands, stand up and defend the principles of equality and human dignity. Hate stops with each of us.

You, I, we, and all of us need to work towards establishing a culture where we respect diversity, difference of opinion, and stop spreading divisive narratives.

We need to create a culture where we live with difference that characterizes tolerance and coexistence. And it starts with YOU and ME.

So, I call for flexibility and a willingness to meet the views of others. Progress can only be made when there is mutual respect.  Stopping hate and spreading love is the way to go and the UN in Bangladesh is pleased to be supporting the Government and People of Bangladesh to address the menace of hate speech.

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For further information please contact:

Mohammad Moniruzzaman (PhD), National Information Officer

UN Information Centre, mobile: 01716302568, email: moniruzzamanm@un.org