Discussion
Participants raised issues and presented initiatives, such as:
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Governments must adopt anti-hate speech legislation in line with international human
rights norms and create the necessary administrative mechanisms to curb hate speech
and hate crimes and ensure effective redress for victims and that perpetrators are held
accountable. It was also stressed that internet intermediaries should uphold the UN
Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and that social media platforms should
ensure that their Community Standards and Terms of Service do not tolerate advocacy
of national, racial or religious hatred and that the rules are swiftly, fully and consistently
implemented to remove all hate speech. Social media platforms should recognize that
they have a duty of care towards all their users.
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A high-visibility media and public awareness campaign to encourage an inclusive society
comprised of many different cultures, languages and religions in order to counter hate
speech and intolerance against minorities should be launched. It was also stated that
governments should make sure that internet, and social media in particular, provide a
safe platform, ensuring freedom of expression, and facilitating association, participation
and empowerment for members of national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.
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Fast removal or disabling of access to hate speech content online is often essential in
order to limit wider dissemination and harm. However effective and appropriate
safeguards should be put in place to ensure that action is taken in a diligent and
proportionate manner in full respect for human rights and that the unintended removal
of legal content is prevented. It was also mentioned that support should be provided to
civil society in monitoring and reporting hate crimes and hate speech; as well as to
victims in reporting hate crimes and hate speech.
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There is a need to understand the underlying phenomenon, the mechanisms and the
dynamics through which certain types of content emerge, diffuse and lead – or not – to
actual discrimination, hostility or violence. The links between hate speech online and
other social phenomena, ranging from access to education to rising inequalities should
be examined.
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A climate of respect towards human rights should be fostered and responsive attitudes
towards the history and culture of different minorities based on recognition and
reconciliation should be restored.
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The importance of nurturing and cultivating minority youth identity and providing
spaces and opportunities that empower young people from minorities, so that they feel
confident to address any kind of acts of hatred against them was stressed. In addition to
the work carried out by minority youth organisations, institutions and governments
need to address the lack of opportunities and space in formal educational systems
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