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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
The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda
Decades of hate speech exacerbated ethnic tensions by spreading unfounded rumours and dehumanizing the Tutsi.
The Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Constant nationalist propaganda throughout party-controlled media channels demonized the Bosnian Muslim population.
The Rohingya refugee crisis in Myanmar
A campaign of hate and misinformation was conducted, loaded with derogatory and dehumanizing language against the Rohingya Muslim minority.
¡°Over the past 75 years, hate speech has been a precursor to atrocity crimes, including genocide, from Rwanda to Bosnia to Cambodia.¡±
¡ª United Nations Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres, June 2019