Publications & Resources

Hate speech has been known to stigmatize, marginalize, enable discrimination as well as incite hate crimes and large-scale violence. Genocide and Holocaust denial is often tied to hate speech, specifically when the aim is to target individuals or groups based on specific identity factors.

All of us have a responsibility to ask ourselves what we can do to protect populations from the most serious international crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. These crimes continue to be perpetrated in many places across the world...

The question is sometimes asked as to whether specific events, past or present, can be referred to as “genocide.” It is important to adhere to the correct usage of the term, for several reasons...

Incitement to violence that targets communities or individuals based on their identity can contribute to enabling or preparing atrocity crimes and is both a warning sign and early indicator of the risk of those crimes. Monitoring, preventing and countering incitement to violence can contribute to prevention efforts.

The UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech sets out strategic guidance for the UN system to address hate speech at the national and global level. It also includes ways the UN Secretariat can support the work of the Resident Coordinators in addressing and countering hate speech. Its objectives are twofold: first, to enhance UN efforts to address root causes and drivers of hate speech; and second, to enable effective UN responses to the impact of hate speech on societies.

The Detailed Guidance provides recommendations on how to implement the 13 commitments set out in the UN Strategy as well as options for action that the United Nations can take in field contexts, building on existing tools and programmes, as well as good practices from within the United Nations system and other partners.

The guidance note follows the Secretary-General’s global appeal to address and counter hate speech on 8 May 2020 and builds on the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech. It provides recommendations to Member States, civil society, media and other relevant stakeholders for addressing and countering COVID-19-related hate speech.

In partnership with The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights - Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA)