Hate speech is dangerous for spreading hostility and can lead to violence, crime, and even genocide, the United Nations (UN) office in Montenegro announced.
On the International Day Against Hate Speech, they highlighted the importance of combating this growing threat.
"Hate speech is more than offensive language. It is a dangerous tool for spreading hostility and can lead to violence, crimes and even genocide," the UN said in a statement.
They stated that, while hatred is not a new phenomenon, its scope and impact have increased significantly with new communication technologies, especially the development of artificial intelligence, which poses risks if not regulated in accordance with human rights.
"That is why this year's International Day Against Hate Speech is focused on artificial intelligence - a powerful tool that, depending on how it is used, can be used both to spread hate speech, but also to identify, prevent and combat it," the statement added.
The UN said that Montenegro is no exception when it comes to hate speech.
The statement recalls that during a recent visit to Montenegro, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern about hate speech in the country, emphasizing the special responsibility of politicians and public figures to combat it.
"According to a nationally representative survey conducted by the IPSOS agency in December last year for the UN in Montenegro, as many as 93 percent of respondents notice hate speech in their environment," the statement says.
It is added that at the same time, around 80 percent of young people aged 14-19 believe they can recognize hate speech, while only a small number of them fail to clearly distinguish it from freedom of expression.
The UN said that hate speech is often directed at political opponents, and particularly affects vulnerable groups, including LGBTIQ+ people, Roma, migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
They said that among the primary targets are women, especially those in public life, such as journalists, politicians and human rights defenders.
It is stated that UNDP research has shown that seven out of ten female politicians in Montenegro have experienced some form of violence.
"Sexistant and misogynistic narratives, ranging from stereotypes to online harassment, reinforce patriarchal norms, undermine social cohesion and encourage discrimination, often going unpunished under the pretext of humor or tradition," the statement said.
UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro Diego Sorilja said that hate speech should not be treated as a marginal issue.
"It is a direct threat to social cohesion and democratic dialogue. The UN system is united in supporting national institutions, the media and civil society in strengthening a culture of respect and inclusion," said Sorilha.
He emphasized that the UN is supporting the country in combating hate speech through coordinated efforts of multiple UN agencies including UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, OHCHR, IOM, UNHCR.
It is stated that the UN team in Montenegro supports strengthening social cohesion in the country through a wide range of initiatives, including fostering community dialogue, improving media literacy and combating disinformation, promoting gender-sensitive policies, and introducing socio-emotional learning.
"The UN also supports the work of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Freedoms, a laboratory for innovation in the field of social cohesion and the integration of refugees and stateless persons into local communities," the statement added.
On the International Day Against Hate Speech, the UN called on all stakeholders in Montenegro to take decisive action to prevent hate speech through education, dialogue, inclusion and respect for human rights.
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