Hate Speech ‘Spreading Fast, Striking Deep’, Secretary-General Warns at Global Conference on Interreligious, Intercultural Dialogue

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Global Conference on Promoting Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and Tolerance in Countering Hate Speech, in New York today:

It is my great honour to welcome you to this global conference on countering hate speech.  Today’s agenda speaks to a promise spelled out in the opening lines of the Charter of the United Nations.  A promise that “We the Peoples” will — and I quote — “practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours” — end of quote.

Through eight decades, our organization has pushed hard to fulfil that pledge.  By pursuing the pacific settlement of disputes, by advancing efforts to build inclusive and just societies, by calling out human rights violations and by serving as a forum for global dialogue — where people from all backgrounds, cultures and beliefs are welcomed, heard and celebrated.

But hate speech has always worked against this vision. And today, its toxic message is spreading fast and striking deep.  Taking on new forms.  Finding new pathways.  And weaponizing new technologies, from digital platforms and algorithms to artificial intelligence (AI).  Its growing reach is testing our shared humanity.

Across continents, hateful and incendiary rhetoric is eroding trust, dividing communities and dehumanizing entire groups.  We see critical pillars of our societies — namely our capacity for acceptance, empathy, understanding and respect for diversity — attacked and weakened.  Racism, misogyny and xenophobia celebrated.  Antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred, discrimination against minority Christian communities and hatred of other religious and ethnic groups normalized. Human rights violated.  And human dignity trampled.

In its worst forms, hate speech incites violence, drives conflict and contributes to the perpetration of atrocity crimes — including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and ethnic cleansing.  We have seen it happen before.  We see it happening now.  And we cannot let it continue.  We must raise our collective voice and reject hatred.  And we must redouble our efforts to tackle hate speech, online and offline.  That means addressing the root causes and drivers as well as the consequences.  And it means strengthening dialogue among nations, cultures and religions.

To bear fruit, these efforts must be truly inclusive. Grounded in respect and equity. Shaped by women, men and youth. And welcoming of religious, traditional and community leaders, Indigenous Peoples and minority groups. Their grasp of local realities, and trust among local communities, can shape behaviours and narratives across generations, helping to ease tensions and prevent and resolve conflicts.

Countering hateful and dangerous narratives also requires education, more support for those targeted by abuse, stronger commitments by Governments and greater accountability for technology companies. Let me be clear:  Reining in hate speech does not mean extinguishing freedom of expression.  But freedom of expression must never be an excuse for causing or compounding harm.

We know how to stop the damage caused by hate speech. And how to open pathways for interreligious and intercultural dialogue.  I commend efforts to step up coordinated action across the UN system. First, through the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, which outlines key principles and commitments to guide our efforts on education, partnerships, advocacy and counter-narratives. Crucially, it is grounded in international human rights — including the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the principles of equality and non-discrimination.

And second, through the UN Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites.  Also anchored in human rights, it lays out concrete recommendations for supporting Member States’ efforts to ensure that religious sites are safe, that worshippers can observe their rituals in peace and that the values of compassion and tolerance can flourish globally.  Together, these plans strengthen UN efforts to combat intolerance and promote peaceful coexistence.

But we cannot conquer hate speech on our own. Governments, regional and multilateral organizations, the private sector and civil society — including faith communities, academia and the media — have a shared responsibility to help build peaceful, just and inclusive societies.  We all have a role to play.  No bystanders.

That is why I come to you today with an urgent message:  We must work together to foster mutual understanding.  To end the tragic cycles of fear, hatred and violence.  And to build the cohesive and stable societies envisioned in our Charter.  Let us rise to this challenge.  And let us deliver on our shared promise to current and future generations.