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International Day for Countering Hate Speech

The first official observance of this day took place in 2022, emphasizing the urgent need to raise awareness about the dangers of hate speech to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Various initiatives and strategies were recommended for governments and stakeholders to develop comprehensive approaches to prevent and...

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Position your brand as a champion of inclusive digital spaces by launching awareness campaigns and platform safety initiatives that resonate with socially conscious audiences.

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Share media literacy tips and how-to guides for identifying and reporting hate speech online
Spotlight stories of communities and individuals standing against hate speech and promoting inclusivity
Partner with educators to create free workshop resources on digital citizenship and respectful communication
Launch a social media campaign amplifying positive, inclusive voices and alternative narratives

History

The International Day for Countering Hate Speech has a rich history rooted in efforts to combat hate speech and its harmful effects. The journey toward recognizing the need to address hate speech dates back to 1919. That year the concept of restricting certain types of threatening speech began to take shape in the United States.

By 1992, the U.S. Congress highlighted the role of telecommunications in spreading hate speech, further underlined by the events surrounding the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. The definition of hate speech evolved significantly in 2009, emphasizing not just speech inciting violence but also creating a climate conducive to violence.

Fast-forward to the 21st century when the United Nations General Assembly officially established this as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech through resolution in 2021.

This day marks a global commitment against hate speech, recognizing its capacity to incite violence, undermine social cohesion, and cause widespread harm.

Highlighting the devastating effects of hate speech, amplified by modern communication technologies, the resolution calls for worldwide action to combat this issue, promoting respect for human dignity, equality, and peace.

Long ago, people realized that words could hurt just as much as actions. They saw that when someone used harmful words against others, it could lead to violence or make people feel unsafe. Different countries and groups have tried to stop this by making rules about what you can’t say to hurt others.

In recent times, with the internet and social media, hate speech started spreading faster. It became easier for someone to say something mean or harmful about another person, even if they were far away. This made the problem bigger and harder to control.

Seeing how big the issue had become, organizations worldwide decided it was time to do something more. They chose a day to come together, learn more about hate speech, and teach others how to stop it. This day is now known as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.

How to celebrate

Educate Yourself and Others

Learn what constitutes hate speech and how to combat it. Understanding the nuances can empower you to identify and stand against such speech in your community.

Participate in Workshops

Look for or organize workshops on media and information literacy. These can help you and others discern and critically evaluate information encountered online, reducing the spread of hate speech.

Support Affected Individuals

Reach out to support those who have been targets of hate speech. This could mean offering solidarity, helping them find resources, or simply lending an ear.

Promote Positive Speech Online

Use your social media platforms to share messages of kindness and inclusivity. Amplify voices that cut through hate, offering alternative narratives that foster understanding and respect.

Engage in Public Discussions

Regardless of your situation, discuss the importance of countering hate speech. Encourage open dialogues that respect freedom of expression while addressing the harm caused by hate speech.

Report Hate Speech

When you encounter hate speech online, use platform tools to report it. This helps in reducing its visibility and impact, contributing to a healthier digital environment.

Create Awareness Materials

Develop or distribute educational materials that raise awareness about hate speech and its effects. These could be infographics, videos, or articles shared widely within your network.

Join Global Movements

Participate in global campaigns and initiatives fighting hate speech. This can amplify your impact and connect you with a larger community striving towards a common goal.

FAQ

How do United Nations bodies define hate speech when there is no single legal definition?

International human rights law does not contain a formal, universally agreed legal definition of hate speech, so United Nations bodies rely on a practical working description and on specific legal prohibitions. For policy purposes, the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech describes hate speech as any kind of communication in speech, writing, or behavior that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or group based on identity factors such as religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, color, descent, gender, or other characteristics. Legally, binding rules focus on narrower categories, such as advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence, which states must prohibit under treaties like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

What is the difference between offensive or hostile expression and hate speech that is illegal under international law?

Under international standards, not all offensive or hurtful expression is unlawful hate speech. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights protects freedom of expression, including ideas that may shock, offend, or disturb, and allows restrictions only when they are clearly set out in law and are necessary and proportionate to protect legitimate aims such as the rights of others or public order. A much narrower set of expression must be prohibited by law, including advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence, and direct and public incitement to commit genocide. UN guidance such as the Rabat Plan of Action recommends distinguishing between criminally punishable incitement, speech that may justify civil or administrative sanctions, and speech that is offensive but should be addressed through education and counter‑speech rather than criminalization.

How do experts decide when speech crosses the line into prohibited incitement?

To assess whether expression reaches the level of incitement that must or may be restricted, UN human rights experts use a contextual approach summarized in the Rabat Plan of Action. This guidance proposes a six‑part threshold test that looks at the social and political context, the status and reach of the speaker, the speaker’s intent, the content and form of the speech, the extent and magnitude of its dissemination, and the likelihood and imminence of resulting harm. Only when several of these elements point to a real risk of discrimination, hostility, or violence does international guidance support criminal sanctions. This is meant to protect individuals and groups from serious harm while preventing overly broad restrictions on legitimate expression.

How does hate speech affect individuals’ mental health and participation in society?

Research summarized by UN agencies shows that exposure to hate speech can cause significant emotional and psychological harm. People who are targeted, or who identify with targeted groups, often experience fear, anxiety, and lowered self‑esteem, and may face a higher risk of depression. UN bodies such as UNESCO and UNFPA note that online hate and harassment frequently lead individuals, especially women, girls, and LGBTQI+ people, to withdraw from public debate, limit their use of social media, or self‑censor to avoid further abuse. This not only harms their well‑being but also reduces the diversity of voices in public life and undermines equal participation in democratic discussion.

Why do international organizations link hate speech to the risk of mass violence and atrocity crimes?

The UN Office on Genocide Prevention identifies sustained, dehumanizing hate speech as a risk factor and early warning sign for atrocity crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Historical cases, including the Holocaust and the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, show how propaganda that portrays targeted groups as less than human, criminal, or dangerous can prepare the ground for systematic violence. For this reason, treaties like the Genocide Convention and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court require states to punish direct and public incitement to commit genocide even before any act of violence takes place. Monitoring and countering hate speech is therefore seen as part of broader efforts to prevent mass atrocities.

How do international standards try to balance countering hate speech with protecting freedom of expression?

International human rights law requires states both to protect people from discrimination and violence and to safeguard freedom of expression. UN guidance stresses that any restriction on expression must meet a strict three‑part test: it must be provided by clear and accessible law, pursue a legitimate aim such as protecting the rights of others, and be necessary and proportionate in a democratic society. The UN Human Rights Committee and the Rabat Plan of Action encourage states to reserve criminal sanctions for the most serious forms of incitement, to avoid vague bans on “offensive” speech, and to favor education, dialogue, and counter‑speech as primary tools. UN experts also warn that hate‑speech laws must not be misused to silence political opposition, human rights defenders, or criticism of religious or state authorities.

What role do education and media literacy play in countering hate speech?

UNESCO and other international bodies consider education and media and information literacy central to long‑term strategies against hate speech. Instead of focusing only on removing harmful content, these approaches aim to build critical thinking, empathy, and knowledge of human rights so that people can recognize stereotypes, manipulative narratives, and dehumanizing language. Educational programs encourage students and online users to question sources, understand how algorithms can amplify extreme content, and respond to hateful expression with informed, non‑violent counter‑speech. According to UNESCO, such education helps reduce the appeal of hateful narratives, strengthens social cohesion, and supports a culture in which harmful speech is challenged by communities themselves rather than only through punishment.