Hate speech spreading like wildfire through social media: UN Chief

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over rise of racism and intolerance in liberal democracies and authoritarian states and said hate speech is "spreing like wildfire" through social media. 

I am deeply alarmed by current rise of xephobia, racism and intolerance, fed increasingly by nationalist and populist ideologies, Guterres said.

Hate speech is entering mainstream, spreing like wildfire through social media and rio. We are seeing it spre in liberal democracies and authoritarian states alike, he said at an event at UN General Assembly on Monday, March 25.

RE: BIG VICTORY FOR INDIA: Despite China's Resistance, United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Names Jaish-e-Mohamm, Condemns Pulwama Terror Attack, And Asks Members To Cooperate With India

event was held to commemorate International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Guterres recalled New Zealand mosque terrorist attack in which 50 people were killed by a self-avowed white supremacist gunman as latest trdy rooted in such poison.  UN Chief h on last Friday visited Islamic Center in New York to show solidarity and express his outr.

Today and every day, we must stand united against racial and religious hatred and terrorism of bigots, he said. 

Guterres observed Day to renew "promise to end racism, racial discrimination, xephobia and related intolerance, including social and ethnic discrimination, anti-Muslim hatred and anti-semitism.

He voiced concern that country or community is immune to rising xephobia and racism, emphasising that se dark forces menace democratic values, social stability, and peace, and stigmatize women, mirities, migrants and refugees.

''When people are attacked, physically, verbally or on social media, because of ir race, religion or ethnicity, all of society is diminished. It is crucial for all of us to join hands, stand up and defend principles of equality and human dignity'', Guterres said.

In order to combat hate speech, and defend principles of equality and human dignity, he asked his special viser on prevention of gecide, ama Dieng, to coordinate a strategy and plan of action for UN system. 

''We need to eng everyone in dismantling harmful and specious tion of racial superiority he said, emphasising that recent surge of neo-Nazi thinking and white supremacist ideology must be buried once and for all''.

This step can be supported by national legislation, which promotes n-discrimination, and by politicians and religious leers, who speak out against intolerance and hate speech, Guterres said. 

General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espisa pointed to an observation of High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet that populists rely on demonising or, saying that across world, populists are exploiting legitimate grievances of those who feel left behind.

Hate speech isn't free speech. It's racism, she said, ding that blaming problems on migrants must be pushed back and short-sighted nationalism must t be allowed to derail search for global solutions.