A/69/266 address long-standing and contentious political, economic and social issues and inequalities that had in many cases been long neglected. 9 C. Hate speech and stigmatization 22. Hate speech in public spheres, in mainstream and social media and by influential figures, including religious leaders, public officials or political groups, can lead directly or indirectly to violence against minorities. Increasing levels of hate speech can be an important indicator of possible violence. Mo nitoring hate speech and incitement to violence offers the opportunity to be aware of and respond appropriately to specific security risks. The Rwandan genocide provides clear evidence of the power of hate speech to infect societies, motivating thousands t o kill neighbours and former friends. Equally, in the Central African Republic, hate speech is recognized as playing a role in inflaming and fuelling violence and has been described by United Nations officials as a possible precursor to serious human right s violations, including potential genocide. 10 23. Studies are required to understand how hate speech transforms into acts of hate and violence. Hate speech is a factor in a process which seeks to scapegoat, demonize or, in extreme cases, dehumanize others considered outsiders or different, and to portray them as the cause of societal ills or as a threat. The power of hate speech to turn a nucleus of extremist hatred into a mass movement of violence is well documented and measures to counter its impact are essential. Several countries, including some that have experienced atrocities, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, have adopted legislation to prosecute hate-motivated crimes and incitement to national, racial or religious hatred. Countries such as Canada and th e United States of America have created hate crime units within the police force. 24. Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (see General Assembly resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex) states that any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law. The Rabat Plan of Action on the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence 11 represents an important step taken by the international community to assist States in implementing their obligations, and provides guidance on balancing freedom of expression, which is protected under article 19 of the Covenant, with article 20. As recommended in the Plan of Action, States should ensure intercultural dialogue and mechanisms and dialogues to foster intercultural and interreligious understanding and learning. States should also promote human rights education and sensitize law enforcement and security forces. 25. The media can have an important role in fuelling and inciting violence. In Rwanda, media were used to both incite and orchestrate widespread violence against the Tutsi minority. Monitoring of media, conducted by independent media regulatory bodies preferably involving minorities, is important to violence prevention strategies. Such bodies can analyse, in the light of international human __________________ 9 10 11 8/24 Statement of 28 February 2014. Available from www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/ DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=14293&LangID=E). www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/2014/03/hate-speech-in-the-central-african-republic-maybe-precursor-to-genocide/. www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Opinion/SeminarRabat/Rabat_draft_outcome.pdf. 14-58850