13 Dec

Hate speech is a menace to democratic values, social stability and peace, and we all need to stop the hate speech at every turn to promote social cohesion across the country, particularly in Rakhine State.

Violence attributed to online hate speech has increased worldwide, and it is necessary to take actions that can curb hate speech.

What is hate speech? The United Nations’ Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech said that there was no international legal definition of hate speech, and the characterization of what is ‘hateful’ is controversial and disputed.

According to the document, the term hate speech is understood as any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender or other identity factors.

Hate speech impacts on many areas including human rights protection, prevention of atrocity crime, preventing and countering terrorism and the underlying spread of violent extremism and counter-terrorism, preventing and addressing gender-based violence.

Addressing hate speech, therefore, requires a coordinated response that tackles the root causes and drivers of hate speech, as well as its impact on victims and societies more broadly.

Regarding hate speech, the Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor and the Centre for Diversity and National Harmony organized a virtual meeting yesterday discussing the matters relating to enhancing women’s role on anti-hate speech and social cohesion.

It is necessary to tackle hate speech to prevent armed conflict, atrocity crimes and terrorism, end violence against women and other serious violations of human rights, and promote peaceful, inclusive and just societies.

Therefore, the government has been making efforts to organize anti-hate speech campaigns and anti-hate speech workshops to build a better country for all citizens.

Not only the government but also we individuals need to combat hate speech and to have the right speech which can replace and conquer hate speech.

Right Speech, according to the Buddhist Scriptures, has four factors to be avoided. They are abstaining from lying, from divisive speech, from abusive speech, and idle chatter. These rules apply to both real-world and online speeches and writings.

By combatting hate speech and making the right speech, we can strengthen the bonds of society and build a better world for all.