Hate speech incites violence and undermines social cohesion and tolerance. The devastating effect of hatred is sadly nothing new. However, its scale and impact are nowadays amplified by new technologies of communication, to the point that hate speech - including online - has become one of the most frequent methods for spreading divisive rhetoric and ideologies on a global scale and threatening peace.
The United Nations has a long history of mobilizing the world against hatred of all kinds to defend human rights and advance the rule of law. The impact of hate speech cuts across numerous existing United Nations areas of focus, from human rights protection and prevention of atrocity crimes to sustaining peace and achieving gender equality and supporting children and youth.
Because fighting hate, discrimination, racism and inequality is at the core of United Nations principles and work, the Organization is working to confront hate speech at every turn. This principle is enshrined in the United Nations Charter, in the international human rights framework and in the global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Summit is a high-level event, bringing together world leaders to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future.
The Be Seen Be Heard campaign recognizes at its core that young people have a vital role to play in the decisions that affect us all.
The Blue Heart Campaign is a global initiative led by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to raise awareness of human trafficking and its impact on people and society.
The Human Rights 75 campaign is celebrating the anniversary by calling on all of us to stand up for human rights and commit to making the principles of the Universal Declaration a reality in our daily lives.
