Hate speech covers many forms and the increasing spread of this ‘pandemic’ represents expressions which advocate, incite, promote or justify hatred, violence and discrimination against a person or group of persons for a variety of reasons.
Hate speech poses a significant danger for the cohesion of any society, the protection of human rights and at large, the rule of law. It is fair to say that if left alone or rather unattended to, it can lead to violence and conflict.
In response to this alarming trend of growing xenophobia, racism and intolerance, violent misogyny, antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred around the world, UN Secretary-General António Guterres launched the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.
Yesterday, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) H E Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah disclosed that NHRC is monitoring the violations being committed against the Qatari people including the bullying and entrenchment of hate speech during the FIFA World Cup in a flagrant abuse of the international law and Media charter of honour.
She noted that the NHRC continues to closely monitor everything raised about human rights situations in the country since Qatar was awarded the honor of hosting the World Cup. She stressed that the majority of allegations that are being raised do not express the reality on the ground and that Qatar has constantly called on numerous international human rights organizations and the representatives of the international parliaments to become aware of the facts in a more transparent way.
Al Attiyah indicated that NHRC will not be quiet in the face of baseless fabrications, underlining that FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 edition will be impressive by all accounts and all guests will enjoy their adequate rights without compromising the cultures and norms of the host country.
She said the NHRC is closely monitoring the hate speech which is being promoted in some European media institutions against Qatar and its people based on religion and belief, including the escalation of bullying behaviour against the country which is an explicit abuse of media code of conduct. She said such behavior would foment the hate speech against the Qatar and all Arab and Islamic peoples.
The NHRC chairperson’s call resonates loudly especially in today’s time. Underreporting hate crime, is also detrimental to stamping out this unwanted scourge and efforts to promote tolerance and understanding between cultures, heritage and beliefs.
