RC Statement, International Day of Countering Hate Speech

The Honourable Minister for Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay

Heads of Civil Society Organizations

Distinguished Guests

Fellow Advocates 

Ladies & Gentlemen

All protocols respectfully observed

I am honoured to provide the opening remarks today on behalf of the UN country team. The International Day Against Hate Speech is a significant day celebrated yearly on June 18th. Despite delays in our calendar, we gather today to commemorate this day in line with our collective objective to build a world where hate speech is prevented and remind ourselves of the challenges we face in achieving this goal.

Ladies and gentlemen, hate speech undermines the fabric of our society by sowing division, fuelling violence and eroding the principles of justice and equality. With the world connected through the use of the internet, hate speech is easily used to disseminate prejudice and intolerance especially against vulnerable groups on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, sex and gender. It is a manifestation that our words have immense power and can harm individuals and communities alike. Globally, hate speech has played a major role in promoting human rights violations and horrific violence including the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. 

The United Nations has long been at the forefront of the fight against hate speech. With initiatives like the 2019 UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, we work tirelessly to address its root causes and drivers while promoting inclusive societies. The strategy provides a framework to support member states to fight hate speech while respecting the right to freedom of expression and opinion.

The UN further recognizes the role of youth in ending violent speech in our societies. There are successful youth-led initiatives showing the potential for change when youth are empowered to take action. This is encompassed in the UN’s Infrastructures for Peace and Social Cohesion Project in The Gambia implemented by UNDP, ITC and UNESCO. Through UNESCO’s intervention, we are harnessing the dividends of youth organizations such as Peacehub and the Open Media Centre to build the capacity of their peers to address hate speech, misinformation and disinformation. Engagements have been held in every region of The Gambia with scores of youth trained on media and information literacy skills to help tackle the issue.

This gives us hope!

We however recognize that our efforts alone are not enough. Everyone has a role to play in ending hate speech be it through education, advocacy or standing against injustice. As we celebrate this day, let us choose to speak out against hate and amplify messages of love, solidarity and allyship.

In conclusion, while we continue our ground breaking work, we call on the government of The Gambia, civil society organizations, private sector and everyone here to reaffirm their commitment to ending hate speech, to support people who are targeted and to educate others of the dangers of hate speech as well as the importance of respectful dialogue. 

Together with our partners, we stand united against hate speech and work towards a world where our differences are embraced and celebrated. Together, we can create a world where every individual is treated with dignity and respect.

Thank you.