Experts have urged to strengthen awareness, and cultural activities as well as ensure proper education to tackle the growing hate speech online and offline.
They came up with their remarks in a webinar titled “No To Hate”, organized by ARTICLE 19 South Asia on Monday to mark the first International Day for countering hate speech, said a media release issued on Tuesday.
The discussants included Huma Khan, senior human rights advisor at the UN Resident Coordinator office in Bangladesh; Sanjeeb Drong, general secretary of the Adibashi Forum; Nawazul Kabir, a gender activist; and Machen Hla, human right ambassador fellow at ARTICLE 19.
Faruq Faisel, regional director for ARTICLE 19 South Asia, moderated the webinar.
Journalists, teachers, and human rights activists from Bangladesh and Nepal attended the webinar.
Huma Khan said: “Critiquing or dissenting is not hate speech. Therefore, hate speech must be tackled carefully while keeping the freedom of expression at the forefront.
“This requires affirmative actions including educating people and raising awareness about the harmful aspects of hate, rather than formulating laws in order to punish.’’
Faruq Faisel said: “In Bangladesh, people of ethnic, religious, and sexual diversity experience hate speech the most. It is the main job of the state to counter hate speech to protect its victim.”
“Therefore, it is the state’s responsibility to formulate a proper action plan to counter hate speech while respecting citizens’ right to express their opinion and dissent,” he added.
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 proclaimed June 18 as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, which has been marked for the first time in 2022.
