A/HRC/40/58
Government to implement the judgment of the courts is a sixth factor that the
international community must consider when prioritizing areas for immediate focus.
Lastly, the Special Rapporteur emphasizes the role played by societal actors,
particularly religious leaders and the media. There is often a time lag between an
alleged speech act and the mobilization of public anger through third-party sources that
give publicity to the allegedly offensive act. Religious leaders and the media play crucial
roles in either fomenting or countering hatred. Internet and social media greatly
magnify the opportunities and risks involved in the influential role that these and other
actors play in disseminating positive or negative messages.
65.
In this context, the Beirut Declaration on Faith for Rights provides important
guidance and inspiration for action: “Speech is fundamental to individual and
communal flourishing. It constitutes one of the most crucial mediums for good and evil
sides of humanity. War starts in the minds and is cultivated by a reasoning fuelled by
often hidden advocacy of hatred. Positive speech is also the healing tool of reconciliation
and peacebuilding in the hearts and minds. Speech is one of the most strategic areas of
the responsibilities we commit to assume, and we support each other for their
implementation through this Faith for Rights declaration on the basis of the thresholds
articulated by the Rabat Plan of Action.”27
66.
27
See annex I, para. 20.
17