Secretary-General António Guterres’s Remarks at Press Encounter
Following Launch of United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech
Tuesday, 18 June 2019
Secretary-General: Good afternoon.
Hate speech is a direct assault on our core values of tolerance, inclusion and respect for human rights and human dignity. It sets groups against each other, contributes to violence and conflict, and undermines all our efforts for peace, stability and sustainable development. As such, addressing it is a priority for the entire United Nations system.
Around the world, we see a groundswell of xenophobia, racism and intolerance, violent misogyny, anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred. In some parts of the world, Christian communities are also under attack. While hate speech has always existed, the new element today is digital communications and specifically, social media platforms. They are making hate speech more virulent than ever, amplifying it and enabling it to move farther and faster.
Hate-filled content is reaching new audiences at lightning speed, and has been linked with violence and killings from Sri Lanka to New Zealand and the United States. It is also used by extremist groups to recruit and radicalize people online.
Political leaders in some countries are adopting the slogans and ideas of these groups, demonizing the vulnerable and weakening the standards of decency in public discourse that have served us for decades.
In the face of this, we all – the United Nations, governments, the private sector, academia, civil society, the international community as a whole – need to step up. That is why I asked my Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, to prepare the
Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech we are launching today in cooperation with a large number of UN entities.
This strategy aims to coordinate our efforts across the whole United Nations system, addressing the root causes of hate speech, and making our response more effective.
Many of our programmes to support implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are already tackling hate speech, by promoting gender equality and human rights, and addressing discrimination of all kinds. But we need to speed up, strengthen and expand the reach of these activities, focused around a defined strategy so that they are as coordinated and as effective as possible.
The strategy includes actions for offices both at headquarters and in the field, and at national and global level. I have asked United Nations agencies and offices to prepare their own plans, aligned with this Strategy and in coordination with my Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide.
Ladies and gentlemen of the media,
I would like to mention one aspect of this strategy that is particularly relevant to you.
All action aimed at addressing and confronting hate speech must be consistent with fundamental human rights.
The United Nations supports freedom of expression and opinion everywhere.
Addressing hate speech does not mean limiting or prohibiting freedom of speech. It means keeping hate speech from escalating into something more dangerous, particularly incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence, which is prohibited under international law.
We need to treat hate speech as we treat every malicious act: by condemning it, refusing to amplify it, countering it with the truth, and encouraging the perpetrators to change their behaviour.
This is clearly not something we can do alone.
We are counting on the support of governments, civil society, the private sector and in particular, you, the members of the media.
Because tackling the poison of hate speech is everybody’s responsibility.
Thank you.
**Questions and Answers
Spokesman: Thank you. Pam?
Question: Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary‑General, Under‑Secretary‑General. It's Pamela Falk from CBS News. Mr. Secretary‑General, in your talk, you said liberal democracies… some liberal democracies are bringing hate‑fueled ideas to the public discourse and weakening the social fabric. Can you elaborate on which liberal democracies or name a few and say why it's happening now? Something must have sparked it - gaps in education?
Secretary-General: I didn't mention only liberal democracies. I said that, unfortunately, both in liberal democracies and in authoritarian regimes, we see some political leaders, to a certain extent, mainstreaming what has been, until now, particularly the expression of extremist groups and, with that, undermining the social cohesion of their societies. And I believe that we have seen it in some recent electoral campaigns.
Spokesman: Nabil.
Correspondent: Thank you.
Spokesman: Thank you.
Question: Mr. Secretary‑General, first, what's your comment on the death of the former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi? And, on the situation in Idlib, how do you see the situation there? What's your message? Do you think that the Turkish‑Russian agreement is still hold and still enough to keep people safe? Thank you.
Secretary-General: Well, I thank you very much for your questions and, in particular, for the question about Idlib. I am deeply concerned about the escalation of the fighting in Idlib, and the situation is especially dangerous, given the involvement of an increased number of actors. Yet again, civilians are paying a horrific price. And let me underscore that, even in the fight against terrorism, there needs to be full compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law.
I appeal in particular to the Astana guarantors -- and to the Russian Federation and Turkey, especially, as the signatories of the September 2018 Memorandum of Understanding on Idleb -- to stabilize the situation without delay.
As I have said repeatedly, there is no military solution to the Syrian crisis. It was clear at the start and it remains clear more than eight years later that the solution must be political.
In relation to the first question you have asked, the Human Rights High Commissioner has already today the occasion to pronounce herself.
Spokesman: Majeed.
Question: Thank you. Thank you, Stéphane. My name is Majeed Gly, Rudaw Media Network. Mr. Secretary‑General, I would like to start my question by showing you the picture of a victim of a hate crime, of a new wave under‑reported hate crime, from Iraq, from the Iraqi city of Kirkuk. Her name is Lamia Salah. Her and her family, after the liberation and the end of ISIS in Iraq, has been under constant threat and harassment, just because she's a Sunni, she's a Kurd, by sectarian militias in a systematic attempt to change a demography of Iraq in the post‑conflict that we see now. Are you concerned that the same hate speech, sectarianism, that led to the emergence of ISIS that will help to re‑emerge the most dangerous terrorist organization in the world?
Secretary-General: Well, I'm not in a position to particularly mention any individual case that I do not know, but it is clear that, in several situations around the world, we have seen, in the past, hate speech be an instrument of ethnic cleansing ‑‑ look at Myanmar ‑‑ or of genocide; look at Rwanda. So, indeed, hate speech can have consequences that go far beyond the dramatic limitation of human rights of small groups or communities. Hate speech can be a trigger of some of the worst crimes that humanity has seen.
Spokesman: James?
Question: [Off mic] In a post‑conflict, post‑ISIS, liberated areas in Iraq, do you have any conf… comments… [Cross talk]
Secretary-General: No, it is absolutely essential in those areas that are liberated to promote the conditions for social cohesion, to promote the dialogue among different communities, to make sure that each community feels that their rights are respected but that they belong to the nation as a whole.
Spokesman: James.
Question: James Bays, Al Jazeera. First, on hate speech, you mentioned political leaders encouraging hate speech. You're not being specific. Would it not have more impact if you were to name and shame? Secondly, the situation in the Gulf, you said that tensions need to be reduced. The answer to that from President [Donald] Trump is to send 1,000 more troops. Do you think that is constructive?
Secretary-General: Well, in relation to hate speech, my objective today is not to name or shame any individual, because, unfortunately, we are dealing with something that has spread very widely, and I think we need to be conscious that we are facing a massive phenomenon, not just something that one or two persons are able to interpret. And, so, I think that, if I name and shame, the only thing that would be broadcasted would be the naming and shaming, and what I want is the substance of the issue to be dealt with. So, it's a strategy that I have been applying and I intend to go on applying whenever it makes sense.
In relation to the Gulf, we are worried, as I said. It's very important to avoid any escalation, and I strongly hope that the situation will be contained, because, as I said, and I repeat, the world does not really need a major confrontation in the Gulf.
Spokesman: Linda.
Question: Mr. Secretary‑General, in terms of the prevalence of hate speech, you mentioned that, in Myanmar, it played a significant role in fomenting violence against the Rohingya. I was wondering in what other countries, for example Mali or Central African Republic, DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo), where hate speech is playing a really significant role, or are there countries that you feel it's very deadly versus… I mean, there are different levels of hate speech. So, really, the question is, where is it most significant?
Secretary-General: Well, in many of the conflict situations that we are witnessing in which we see community against community for ethnic or religious reasons, the truth is that hate speech usually plays a part. And, of course, the more a society is Internet‑connected, the more that kind of impact becomes dramatic.
Spokesman: Great. Thank you very much.
Secretary-General: Thank you.
Highlights of the U.N. System
Tuesday, 18 June 2019
Security Council
The Security Council held an open meeting today on peacekeeping operations on the theme of cooperation with host countries.
Briefing Council members, Lt Gen Leonard MNgondi, Force Commander of the United Nations- African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), noted that recent political developments in Sudan have had an impact on the Mission’s operations. He underscored the importance of cooperation between peacekeeping missions and host states for the successful implementation of mandates.
For her part, Major General Cheryl Pearce, Force Commander of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), stressed the importance of impartiality in allowing the military component of the mission to effectively maintain the military status quo, prevent military-to-military tensions and ensure calm and stability in and around the buffer zone.
Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix also spoke at today’s meeting.
This afternoon, the Council will meet on the situation in the Middle East.
Democratic Republic of Congo
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at least 161 people were reportedly killed since early June in intercommunal violence in Ituri province (Djugu, Irumu and Mahagi territories).
As a result, some 300,000 people have been displaced, with 7,500 people hosted in displacement sites in Bunia, the province’s capital. Others are trying to cross Lake Albert to Uganda. The number of displaced people is expected to increase, because of continued violence against civilians including killings, kidnappings, maiming and sexual violence.
So far, humanitarian actors do not have access to most of the affected areas due to insecurity. There is an urgent need for safe access to reach people with shelter, food, health and protection in areas where some 1.1 million people were already in need of assistance and protection.
As of today, the humanitarian response plan for the country requesting $1.65 billion to reach nine million people is only 19.7 % funded.
Sudan
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has confirmed that at least 1,600 South Sudanese refugees in Sudan have fled to an open area Bantiu, in neighbouring South Sudan, after attacks in Omdurman on 5-6 June.
UNHCR received reports of some nine refugees being killed and of sexual violence from the survivors.
In Sudan’s capital Khartoum, the main public and private hospitals are functioning. The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently supporting the transport of hospital staff.
The nation-wide disruption of internet services and unreliable phone network since 3 June continue to affect humanitarian operations.
School across Sudan, including in Khartoum, were scheduled to re-open on 16 June, but this has been postponed by two weeks.
A WHO airlift of emergency surgical supplies has been cleared. UNICEF, the UN Migration Agency (IOM) and a partner organization are supporting the chlorination of 26 water sources for Tawila town, North Darfur.
The Ministry of Education, with support from UNICEF, will provide supplies for more than 105,000 children, including refugees in Khartoum state.
Egypt
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said today that, as former President Mohammed Morsi was in the custody of the Egyptian authorities at the time of his death on Monday, the State is responsible for ensuring he was treated humanely and that his right to life and health were respected.
The Human Rights Office stressed that any sudden death in custody must be followed by a prompt, impartial, thorough and transparent investigation carried out by an independent body to clarify the cause of death.
States, including Egypt, that have ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, also have a heightened duty of care to take any necessary measures to protect the lives of individuals deprived of their liberty.
The Human Rights Office noted that concerns had been raised regarding the conditions of Mr. Morsi’s detention, including access to adequate medical care, as well as sufficient access to his lawyers and family, during his nearly six years in custody. He also appears to have been held in prolonged solitary confinement.
Venezuela
The UN Migration Agency (IOM) today said that more than 80 Venezuelans have died or disappeared in the Caribbean Sea over the past two months in three shipwrecks.
According to Venezuelan authorities, the first boat capsized on 23 April and the second on 16 May, both heading towards Trinidad and Tobago, and an estimated 51 to 67 Venezuelan refugees and migrants disappeared in these disasters. The third boat, headed to Curaçao, disappeared on 8 June. At least twenty-one Venezuelans are still missing, with total losses rising possibly to 32.
The IOM said these incidents highlight the desperate measures Venezuelans are willing to take to reach their destinations, even risking their lives at the hands of smugglers.
More than 4 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants have left their country since 2015. Over 110,000 of them reside in the Caribbean.
Pakistan AIDS
United Nations agencies are continuing to help respond to an HIV outbreak in Larkana, where more than 800 people have been diagnosed with the virus. More than 80 per cent of the new cases are children, with a majority under the age of 5.
Authorities announced on 14 June that, according to a preliminary investigation led by the World Health Organization (WHO) into the outbreak, poor infection control practices – including a lack of sterilization and re-using of syringes and intravenous drips – are the most significant factors in the rise in new infections.
UNAIDS, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the WHO, together with partners, have been providing support to develop a community response plan to promote health education and reduce stigma and discrimination. UN agencies are also helping to train health workers on paediatric case management and health education sessions are being organized with the involvement of community-led organizations and religious leaders.
With 20,000 new HIV infections in 2017, Pakistan has the second fastest growing AIDS epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region, with the virus disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable and marginalized, especially key populations, according to UNAIDS.
Department of Peace Operations and European Union: Joint Mission to Mali
A joint high-level mission of the United Nations and the European Union, led by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and the EU Deputy-Secretary-General for Common Security and Defense Policy and Crisis Response of the European External Action Service, Pedro Serrano, will travel to Mali from 19 to 21 June 2019.
The objectives of the joint visit are to exchange with Malian authorities and other key stakeholders on ways to enhance support by the United Nations and the European Union to accelerate the implementation of the peace agreement and the restoration of State authority in northern and central Mali, as well as to strengthen the partnership between the two organizations in the country.
The delegation will meet with Government authorities at the highest level, signatory armed groups, political actors, civil society, women groups and international partners.
New Report on Dinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Billions of people around the world are continuing to suffer from poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene, according to a new report by UNICEF and the World Health Organization. Some 2.2 billion people around the world do not have safely managed drinking water services, 4.2 billion people do not have safely managed sanitation services, and 3 billion lack basic handwashing facilities.
The Joint Monitoring Programme report, Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene: 2000-2017: Special focus on inequalities finds that, while significant progress has been made toward achieving universal access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene, there are huge gaps in the quality of services provided.
The full report is available online.
Gastronomy Day
Today is Sustainable Gastronomy Day. To mark the Day, the UN is launching a campaign that aims to engage people in the global effort to tackle climate change through healthy and sustainable food choices.
Leading chefs will provide inspiration by presenting their own creations which will be featured on the United Nations’ platforms to create a global wave of culinary creativity as people share their favorite recipes and photos.
Joining the campaign is the Copenhagen-based non-profit MAD, founded by Chef René Redzepi of world-renowned restaurant Noma, working to transform our food system by giving chefs and restaurateurs the skills, community, time and space to create real and sustainable change. Alongside MAD, will be the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the SDG2 Advocacy Hub, and Kitchen Connection, which are working to engage chefs in the sustainable food movement.
