Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoUN / TOLERANCE PEACE AND SECURITY
Download
There is no media available to download.
Share
STORY: UN / TOLERANCE PEACE AND SECURITY
TRT: 2:58
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 14 JUNE 2024, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE – NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior, United Nations Headquarters
14 JUNE 2024, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide:
“In situations of ongoing crisis or conflict, hate speech is particularly dangerous as it can intensify existing tensions and vulnerabilities. Often coinciding with disinformation, hate speech can also entrench divisions and pose a direct threat to civilians in contexts that are already navigating a difficult road to peace. In the most serious situations, hate speech may also be an indicator of risk and potential trigger of serious crimes, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
4. Wide shot, Security Council
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide:
“However, today, the widespread use of social media - based on business models which often incentivize divisive, misleading, hateful, and violent narratives, while limiting exposure to other sources of information that may counter such narratives – is allowing hate speech to be employed by anyone, reaching quicker distant audiences, and hence increasing the potential for offline harm. Minorities are particularly targeted. And so are women, especially those in public space.”
6. Wide shot, Security Council
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide:
“The United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech provides a comprehensive framework for tackling hate speech, in line with international human rights standards. It emphasizes a multifaced approach to addressing hate speech utilizing all the tools in our toolbox from dialogue and outreach, education and promoting social cohesion, non-discrimination, and peace. The UN Strategy is being employed across the system, especially in the field, to support national actors, including member states, who have the primary responsibility in addressing hate speech.”
8. Wide shot, Security Council
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide:
“I also encourage this Council to continue its engagement with tech and social media companies to emphasize their roles and responsibilities in tackling online hate speech. And to continue supporting the inclusion of women in peace and security agenda, including on issues related to countering hate speech against women. Finally, since Member States have the primary role in tackling hate speech, I encourage them to consider developing national action plans for countering hate speech, with my support as UN Focal Point on Hate Speech. Such action plans should be rooted in human rights and protection of civilians and focusing on addressing hate speech holistically from impact, to root causes and drivers.”
10. Various shots, Security Council
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations:
“We are committed to defending freedom of religion and belief alongside freedom of expression and gender equality to overcome the forces of division we face today that lead to the outbreak, escalation and recurrence of conflict. The international community must implement the ideals of this resolution, helping to promote and uphold all human rights.”
12. Wide shot, Security Council
UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Alice Wairimu Nderitu, said, “In situations of ongoing crisis or conflict, hate speech is particularly dangerous as it can intensify existing tensions and vulnerabilities. Often coinciding with disinformation, hate speech can also entrench divisions and pose a direct threat to civilians in contexts that are already navigating a difficult road to peace.”
The Special Adviser briefed the Council today (14 Jun) on the implementation of the Resolution 2686 in the context of various situations under the agenda item ‘Maintenance of international peace and security’.
Nderitu said, “today, the widespread use of social media - based on business models which often incentivize divisive, misleading, hateful, and violent narratives, while limiting exposure to other sources of information that may counter such narratives – is allowing hate speech to be employed by anyone, reaching quicker distant audiences, and hence increasing the potential for offline harm.”
“Minorities are particularly targeted. And so are women, especially those in public space,” she reiterated.
The Special Adviser highlighted that the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech “provides a comprehensive framework for tackling hate speech, in line with international human rights standards.”
“It emphasizes a multifaced approach to addressing hate speech utilizing all the tools in our toolbox from dialogue and outreach, education and promoting social cohesion, non-discrimination, and peace,” she continued.
Nderitu added, “the UN Strategy is being employed across the system, especially in the field, to support national actors, including member states, who have the primary responsibility in addressing hate speech.”
The Special Adviser encouraged the Council to “continue its engagement with tech and social media companies to emphasize their roles and responsibilities in tackling online hate speech. And to continue supporting the inclusion of women in peace and security agenda, including on issues related to countering hate speech against women.”
She concluded, “since Member States have the primary role in tackling hate speech, I encourage them to consider developing national action plans for countering hate speech, with my support as UN Focal Point on Hate Speech. Such action plans should be rooted in human rights and protection of civilians and focusing on addressing hate speech holistically from impact, to root causes and drivers.”
The Resolution was co-penned by the United Kingdom (UK) and former Council member the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
British Ambassador Barbara Woodward said, “We are committed to defending freedom of religion and belief alongside freedom of expression and gender equality to overcome the forces of division we face today that lead to the outbreak, escalation and recurrence of conflict.”
She concluded, “the international community must implement the ideals of this resolution, helping to promote and uphold all human rights.”
