UN in Serbia, the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue of Serbia, the OSCE Mission to Serbia, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality and the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade Unite to Combat Rising Levels of Hate Speech

Belgrade, 15 June 2023 - Today, the United Nations in Serbia, the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue of Serbia, the OSCE Mission to Serbia, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality and the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade join voices ahead of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, marked on 18 June.

We call on all relevant actors to increase their efforts to address all instances of hate speech and divisive narratives. The current moment in history of increasingly polarized positions requires more inclusive dialog and a better capacity for institutions to uphold the democratic principles of respect, equality and free expression that are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which marks its 75th anniversary this year, as well as in the Council of Europe and OSCE documents.

Although there is no strict definition of hate speech, it should be understood as any kind of communication in speech, writing or behavior, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, color, descent, gender or another identity factor. It is often rooted in and generates intolerance and hatred, and in certain contexts can be demeaning and divisive.

“The UN in Serbia recognizes the urgency to counter hate speech and calls on Serbian leaders, institutions and citizens to promote a culture of concerted dialog, strengthen social cohesion, celebrate diversity, and build a society based on mutual respect and solidarity. Without freedom from hate, there can be no true freedom of speech,” says Francoise Jacob, UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia.

Tomislav Žigmanov, Minister for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, believes that "Statements containing hate speech are often presented by the creators of such speech as a legitimate attitude, and the condemnation of hate speech is therefore characterized as a violation of freedom of speech. Those who consciously resort to such a replacement of theses ignore one of the basic legal principles, which is that the exercise of rights must not imply a violation of someone else's rights. Freedom always implies responsibility, and in this sense it is of utmost importance that every individual in society be responsible for what he says or writes. Of course, personal affinities and animosities caused by one's personal property are our inevitability, and ultimately, our right, but this does not mean that we can expose in public with stereotypical attitudes towards entire groups of people."

Serbia has taken steps to enable freedom of expression and combat hate speech through its legislation, yet it is the implementation of the existing legal framework that should be systematically enforced. 

“Hateful speech victimizes both individuals and groups; it cements old stereotypes and prejudices and recalls painful collective memories from the recent or more distant past. Hateful speech alienates people, divides neighbourhoods and undermines social cohesion,” says the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Ambassador Jan Braathu. “That is why the OSCE Mission to Serbia works in partnership with the independent institutions, including the Equality Commissioner, State institutions, the National Minority Councils, as bodies representing the voice of national minority communities, and youth all with the aim of fostering mutual understanding, combatting discrimination and improving dialogue between all members of the society,” he added.

Freedom of opinion and expression are cornerstones of human rights and pillars of free and democratic societies, while hate speech is a menace to democratic values, social stability and peace. Addressing hate speech does not mean limiting or prohibiting freedom of speech. It means keeping hate speech from escalating into something more dangerous, particularly incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence, which is prohibited under international law. 

As a matter of principle, all of us together, including the competent State authorities must promote peaceful, inclusive and just societies, while confronting hate speech at every turn.  This will contribute to prevention of prejudice and violence towards the other including women, minority groups and all those who think differently.  Ultimately, hate speech, if left unsanctioned, can lead towards armed conflict, atrocity crimes, terrorism and other serious violations of human rights.

“The atmosphere in public space contributes to the generation of various types of violence, we should all be aware of how short the path is from verbal threats and conflicts, from hate speech to their escalation into physical violence. Hate speech and humiliating and offensive behavior are prohibited by law, but the fight against hate speech cannot be reduced to legal mechanisms alone. Respect for the law by all social actors is mandatory and implies a unique condemnation of all hate speech, because this is the only way we can change the current social paradigm and create an environment in which different opinions and dissenters are respected“, says Brankica Janković, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality.”

“We need to ensure full, equal and meaningful participation in political and public life for all, in particular for women and girls, free from violence, fear, harassment, hate speech and hate crime, as well as discrimination based on any ground, including that directed against national minorities, Roma and LGBTI. The Council of Europe plays an important role in international standard-setting on freedom of expression and related issues such as media freedom, and access to information and combatting hate speech and disinformation, including the instrumentalisation of history, in particular in the light of the increasing impact of digital technologies on these issues,” says Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade. He specifically recalled the General policy recommendation by the Council of Europe’s anti-racism body ECRI and the Committee of Ministers Recommendation on combatting hate speech in this context.

As we mark the second International Day for Countering Hate Speech, we must take action to ensure that the rights and freedoms that we have are universally protected and a safe and secure environment for all is guaranteed. 

We recall that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. Nowhere is this interdependence more obvious than in the discussion of freedom of expression in relation to other human rights. 

We all have the moral, political and legal duty of speaking out firmly against instances of hate speech and promoting trust, reconciliation, dialog, compromises, solidarity and ultimately, love.

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About International Day for Countering Hate Speech

In July 2021, the UN General Assembly highlighted global concerns over “the exponential spread and proliferation of hate speech” around the world and adopted a resolution on “promoting inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech”.

The resolution recognizes the need to counter discrimination, xenophobia and hate speech and calls on all relevant actors, including States, to increase their efforts to address this phenomenon, in line with international human rights law.

The resolution proclaimed 18 June as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, building on the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech launched on 18 June 2019.

To observe the Day, the United Nations invites governments, international organizations, civil society groups, and individuals to hold events and initiatives promoting strategies to identify, address and counter hate speech. This first UN system-wide initiative designed to tackle hate speech provides an essential framework for how the Organization can support and complement States' efforts.

The event is supported by the UN Human Rights Team in Serbia within the Human Rights 75 Initiative to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.