On 21 November 2023, German authorities in Bavaria conducted raids on the residences of 17 individuals accused of disseminating antisemitic hate speech and threats against Jews online. The suspects, consisting of 15 men and two women aged between 18 and 62, were allegedly celebrating attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel. The police operation focused on Munich, with additional searches conducted in towns and counties across Bavaria. Evidence, including cellphones and laptops, was confiscated from the suspects’ homes, and police are investigating their involvement in spreading hate speech on social media.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has allocated an additional $3 million to counter antisemitic and anti-Islamic hate speech online, responding to a surge in threats on social media amid the violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip. The funds will be administered by the state’s Division of Homeland Security and distributed to all colleges and universities in New York. This move is part of a series of actions taken by Governor Hochul to address a reported over 400% increase in online hate speech targeting Jewish and Muslim communities.
While many of us wish that these were miscalculated concerns, the sad reality is that hate speech is being blown out of proportion. The internet is a dangerous place. As much as we rely on it for our day-to-day tasks, it is also a breeding ground for dangerous and harmful hate speech which either ostracises or corners individuals and communities. Hate speech occurs on a large scale. It then penetrates real-world sentiments and goes as far as physically hurting the people who are at the receiving end. Tragically, the growth of hate speech all across the world has inflated beyond control in recent times. Because the digital age has democratised many public platforms, groups of people are using them for all the wrong reasons and it does not reflect well.
What is hate speech?
The UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech defines hate speech as any communication in speech, writing, or behaviour that attacks or uses discriminatory language based on factors like religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender, or other identity factors. Hate speech can manifest through scapegoating, stereotyping, stigmatisation, and derogatory language, often involving the dissemination of conspiracy theories, disinformation, and distortion of historical events. States are urged to prohibit severe forms of hate speech that incite violence, hostility, discrimination, or genocide, in accordance with international law. While certain forms of hate speech may be restricted, international law also protects speech that may be offensive, addressing such concerns through preventive measures.
Hate speech not only violates the dignity and human rights of individuals directly targeted but also impacts those belonging to the same minority or group. It creates dangerous divisions, hinders inclusion, and poses a threat to democracy. History demonstrates that hate speech has been strategically employed to mobilize groups against each other, leading to increased violence, hate crimes, and even genocide.
In recent times, online platforms have become major channels for the spread of hate speech, presenting unique challenges in prevention and combat. The internet allows hate speech to be disseminated globally within seconds. Monitoring bodies, including those of the Council of Europe and the United Nations, along with civil society organisations, have made note of the persistence and alarming rise of hate speech, particularly online. Instances like the 2017 Rohingya genocide in Myanmar and the role of social media platforms in spreading hate speech highlight the urgent need to address this issue. Platforms like Facebook, now Meta, have faced legal actions accusing them of amplifying hate speech and incitement to violence. The weaponization of new social media platforms, such as Telegram, for similar purposes in conflict zones further underscores the gravity of the situation. What we are witnessing here is how hate speech has been weaponized.
Measures that can be taken
On 5 July 2023, the UN office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protest released a new policy paper on countering and addressing hate speech online. The policy paper proposes several key recommendations to address online hate speech. To quote it directly:
- Ensure the protection of human rights and the rule of law in countering online hate speech, applying these standards to content moderation, curation, and regulation.
- Increase transparency in content moderation, curation, and regulation.
- Foster positive narratives to counter online hate speech and encourage user engagement and empowerment.
- Ensure accountability, reinforce judicial mechanisms, and enhance independent oversight.
- Strengthen multilateral and multi-stakeholder cooperation.
- Promote community-based voices, adopt context-sensitive policymaking, and establish knowledge-based practices to protect and empower vulnerable groups in countering online hate speech.
These recommendations are aligned with the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, which aims to enhance the UN’s response to the global impact of hate speech. The Strategy commits to coordinated efforts at both global and national levels, leveraging new technologies and engaging with social media to address online hate speech and promote positive narratives.
(Sandunlekha Ekanayake)