What is Hate Speech?

What is Hate Speech?

Hate speech is considered to be all forms of expression (not only verbally but through digital media as well) that ‘spread and promote racial hatred, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and ethnocentrism’. Therefore Cyber Hate is also considered to be hate speech.

Bullying happens when a group of people engage in hostile or abusive behaviour towards another individual.

Cyber Bullying – takes place online through electronic devices, pictures, chat rooms.

    ð   Both are the EQUALLY IMPORTANT

Through Online Hate Speech, anonymity contributes in violating serious human rights occur. This is the reason why it has to be addressed in order to reduce instances offline as well.

‘All Human Beings Are Born Free And Equal in Dignity and Rights’ – Article 1, Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

What are Human Rights?

Human Rights are the belief that everyone is entitled to respect and no one should suffer and feel less human.

Why is there Hate Speech?

Hate Speech occurs when some groups feel inferior to others.

Hate speech undermines personal dignity and often leads to crimes.

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         Freedom of expression, thought, conscience and religion are fundamental human rights – However, what is the best balance between Hate Speech and Freedom of Speech?

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          The internet is owned by private companies – therefore human rights laws – which are directed to governments – do not really apply to them.

·       Online Space is also Public Space

Nationalism and patriotism can easily turn into hate speech. However, Race is now considered to be a social classification not a biological one.

Stereotypes à Prejudice à Racism à Discrimination à Hate Speech à Hate Crime

‘Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence, this applies also to the internet’ – Article 8, European Convention of Human Rights

How is our Private Life affected?

Private life – according to Human Rights- include someone’s personal life which is most important to their identity and sense of dignity. NO ONE and NO ORGANISATION has the right to know things about our private life that we do not wish them to know.

How can we stop Hate Speech?

 Be Informed and participate in society

 Address Hate Speech online and offline

·         Mobilising others

·         Support and express solidarity with victims of common target groups

·         Longer term strategies

Source:

Keen, Ellie and Georgescu, Mara, Bookmarks: A Manual For Combating Hate Speech Online Through Human Rights Education (Ukraine: Council of Europe, 2016)

2019