Commemoration of International Day for Countering Hate Speech 2023

Thank you, Programme Director

Colleagues and Friends

Good morning.

Let me start by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to the Apartheid Museum, Emilia Potenza for hosting us today as we commemorate the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.

It is my honour to join our partners, the Media Monitoring Africa, William Bird, the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, Janet Jobson and the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre, Tali Nates in organizing this important event.

Let me also acknowledge my UN Country Team colleagues including Abigail Noko – OHCHR Representative, Sudeshan Reddy – Vice Chair of the UN Communications Group (UNCG) and staff from the UN in South Africa.

Exactly two years ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering the exponential spread of hate speech around the world – online and offline.

In its resolution, the General Assembly called on governments, international organizations, civil society groups, and individuals to hold events and initiatives that identify, address and counter hate speech.

We all have heard or encountered hate speech in our daily lives.

Question is, 'Do we keep quiet and pretend this is but a minor incident with no consequences, or do we speak out forcefully and with conviction against instances of hate speech'?

It is our moral duty and responsibility to do our part in countering this scourge, whether as government authorities, or as civil society, the private sector, the media, youth, traditional and customary leaders or simply as individuals.

And this we can and must do due to the devastating impact on social cohesion and deterioration of human relations and safety.

As former President Mandela once said, “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” 

Sadly, of late, we have noted with concern an increasing trend in the spread of misinformation and disinformation, either online, on social media or even on traditional media channels such as radio, TV and print where hate speech has gone unchallenged. 

The Untied Nations is  committed to the principles of respect for human rights, non-discrimination and the right of every individual to be treated with respect and dignity regardless of their nationality, race, religion, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

These are precisely the principles and rights that hate speech seeks to suppress, i.e., freedom of speech, ideas or opinions, especially the voices of marginalized groups or the most vulnerable in our societies.  

Evidence has shown us that hate speech thrives where misinformation and disinformation are allowed to go unopposed.

To this end, UN is setting up an Information Integrity Lab to monitor and identify misleading and hateful content, and to promote truthful and reliable information.

Slightly more than a week ago, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, launched a Policy Brief on Information Integrity on Digital Platforms.

The brief includes elements of a possible UN Code of Conduct for Information Integrity on Digital Platforms, some relevant aspects are : 

1. A commitment by Governments, tech companies and other stakeholders to refrain from using, supporting, or amplifying disinformation and hate speech for any purpose. 
2. The consistent application of policies and resources by digital platforms around the world, to eliminate double standards that allow hate speech and disinformation
3. Agreed protocols for a rapid response by governments and digital platforms when the stakes are highest – in times of conflict and high social tensions. 

The Policy Brief complements the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.

The action plan defines hate speech as any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group based on who they are.

Here in South Africa, the UN has lined up several programmes designed to promote social cohesion as part of the Plan of Action and our efforts to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and National Development Plan.

These include monitoring and analysing hate speech; addressing its causes, drivers and actors; taking relevant action to mitigate its impact; and engaging and supporting the victims of hate speech.

We convene and engage relevant partners, such as the one we are having today.

For example, under our Joint Programme on Migration we work with the Government, impacted groups, and civil society organizations on  empowering migrants and host communities to realize full social inclusion; eliminating all forms of discrimination and provide evidence-based public discourse to shape perceptions of migration; and empowering and promoting social, economic and political inclusion of all.

We launched several projects in targeted communities in the provinces of Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

We conducted dialogues with community leaders and influential personalities and used community radio stations, newspapers and TV to roll out advocacy campaigns   in local languages to promote social cohesion and community harmony.

Allow me to take this opportunity to commend the Government of South Africa for its commitment to countering hate speech as evidenced by the introduction and exigent consideration of the Prevention and Combatting of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill in Parliament, as well as in its “National Action Plan to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance”.

The UN in South Africa is working with the Government and other partners to reinforce programmes under the National Action Plan.

Before I conclude, Programme Director, allow me to share with you the message from the UN Secretary-General to mark today’s commemoration. And I quote:

“Hate speech is used to stoke fear and division, often for political gain, and at immense cost to communities and societies.

It incites violence, exacerbates tensions, and impedes efforts to foster mediation and dialogue.

It is one of the warning signs of genocide and other atrocity crimes.

Hate speech is often aimed at vulnerable groups, reinforcing discrimination, stigma and marginalization.

Minorities, women, refugees, migrants, and people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity are frequent targets.

Social media platforms can amplify and spread hate speech at lightning speed.

Misguided and ambiguous responses to hate speech – including blanket bans and internet shutdowns – may also violate human rights by restricting freedom of speech and expression.

They may even silence some of those best placed to counter hateful narratives: human rights defenders and journalists.

But we are far from powerless in the face of hate speech.

We can and must raise awareness about its dangers, and work to prevent and end it in all its forms.

The United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech is our comprehensive framework for tackling the causes and impacts of hate speech, in line with international human rights standards.

Our offices and teams around the world are confronting hate speech by implementing local action plans, based on this strategy.

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.

The United Nations is consulting governments, technology companies and others on a voluntary Code of Conduct for information integrity on digital platforms, aimed at reducing the spread of mis- and disinformation and hate speech, while protecting freedom of expression.

As we mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, let us renew our efforts to prevent and end this toxic and destructive phenomenon, while promoting inclusive, just and peaceful communities and societies and protecting the rights and dignity of all.”

End of quote. I thank you.