UN genocide prevention official warns of hate speech’s sweeping threat to individuals, societies

UNITED NATIONS - The UN’s top genocide prevention official has warned that hate speech remains a significant threat to global peace and security, often targeting society’s most vulnerable. In ongoing crises or conflict situations, hate speech intensifies existing tensions and vulnerabilities, she said. Combined with disinformation, hate speech entrenches divisions and poses direct threats to civilians In addition, the proliferation of social media use has exacerbated the reach and impact of hate speech, she added. Such divisive, misleading and hateful narratives enable hate speech to spread rapidly and reach distant audiences, thus increasing the potential for offline harm. At the same time, tackling hate speech should never be used to stifle freedom of expression, she stressed.