June 18 Marks Int'l Day for Countering Hate Speech

The International Day for Countering Hate Speech is observed across the globe on June 18 every year

The day aims to address the global issue of hate speech, which continues to fuel violence, intolerance, and division.

It also calls for collective action to counter the spread of divisive rhetoric and promote understanding, respect, and inclusivity.

To mark 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. The theme of this year is "Inclusion and anti-discrimination."

In his message on this occasion, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called on everyone to work together to build a more respectful and civil world, and for effective action to end hate speech, ahead of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech on 18 June.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that misguided and ambiguous responses to hate speech – including blanket bans and internet shutdowns – may also violate human rights by restricting freedom of speech and expression.

In 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”.

This 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 declared 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.