Countering Hate Speech

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and declaration of the pandemic, the world is faced with an increase in “infodemic” or misinformation and disinformation pandemic. Among other negative consequences, COVID-19 has created conditions that enable the spread of disinformation and fake news to stimulate violence and divide communities. It is critical to counter misinformation as a toxic driver of secondary impacts of the pandemic that can heighten the risk of conflict, violence, human rights violations and mass atrocities. Quoting the UN Secretary General, “as COVID-19 spreads, a tsunami of misinformation, hate, scapegoating and scare-mongering has been unleashed.”

Hate speech is not formally defined by the conventional international law. The Human Rights Committee underscores its vagueness, and the lack of consensus around its meaning, can be abused to enable infringements on a wide range of lawful expression .[1]

The COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated the crucial need for access to free, reliable, trustworthy, factual, multilingual, targeted, accurate, clear and science-based information, as well as for ensuring dialogue and participation of all stakeholders and affected communities during the preparedness, readiness and response. It also has confirmed the key role of free, independent, responsible and pluralistic media to enhance transparency, accountability and trust, which is essential to achieving adequate support for and compliance by the general public with collective efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

States, organizations, the UN system and other stakeholders such as media workers, social media platforms and NGOs have a clear role and responsibility in helping people to deal with the “infodemic’. In this regard, the United Nations Communications Response initiated the “Verified”[2]  campaign announced by the UN Secretary General on April 14, 2020, to provide content that cuts through the noise to deliver life-saving information, fact-based advice and stories from the best of humanity.

The Ministry of Information in Kuwait launched a parallel platform entitled “Tahaqaq”[3] as a tool to verify the credibility of news, photos and videos, control misinformation and avoid fake news. Furthermore, the Kuwaiti authorities  is taking serious measures against people spreading rumors. In addition to the negative impact the rumors can have in these hard times, damaging society's morale, and obstacles to the state’s efforts and ability to overcome the serious health challenges. Rumors harm the society and spark panic and fear among its members.

The United Nations had put significant recommendations to tackle this issue, such as the United Nations Guidance Note on Addressing and Countering COVID-19 related Hate Speech[4]. And because hate speech is something that every society must take seriously, it is important for us to know what the concept is all about, the root causes, implications and the way forward.

The United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18 on ‘combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatisation of, and discrimination, incitement to violence, and violence, against persons based on religion or belief.’11 Resolution 16/18 recognises that the promotion of inclusion, diversity, and pluralism is the best antidote to ‘hate speech,’ along with policies and laws to tackle the root causes of discrimination.[5]

[1] A/HRC/38/35

[2] Shareverified.com

[3] Tahaqaq

[4] UNITED NATIONS STRATEGY AND PLAN OF ACTION ON HATE SPEECH

[5] A/HRC/RES/16/18