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UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua): United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched a global call on Friday (May 8) to tackle and counter “the hate virus”: hate speech related to the Covid-19 pandemic .
“Covid-19 does not care who we are, where we live, what we believe or any other distinction. We need every ounce of solidarity to face it together. However, the pandemic continues to unleash a tsunami of hatred and xenophobia, scapegoats and scarecrows,” Guterres said in a video message.
Anti-foreigner sentiment has increased online and on the streets. Antisemitic conspiracy theories have spread and there have been Covid-19 related anti-Muslim attacks.
Migrants and refugees have been vilified as a source of the virus and then denied access to medical treatment, he said.
With older people among the most vulnerable and despicable memes, they have emerged suggesting that they are also the most expendable. And journalists, whistleblowers, health professionals, humanitarian workers and human rights defenders are under attack simply for doing their job, he said.
“We must act now to strengthen the immunity of our societies against the virus of hate. That is why I am appealing today for a total effort to end hate speech worldwide,” said the UN chief.
Guterres called on political leaders to show solidarity with all members of their societies and to build and strengthen social cohesion.
He called on educational institutions to focus on digital literacy at a time when billions of young people are online, and when extremists seek to take advantage of captive and potentially desperate audiences.
He called on the media, especially social media companies, to do much more to mark up and, in accordance with international human rights law, remove racist, misogynistic and other harmful content.
He also called on civil society to strengthen outreach to vulnerable people as well as religious actors to serve as role models for mutual respect.
“And I ask everyone, everywhere, to oppose hatred, treat each other with dignity, and take every opportunity to spread kindness,” Guterres said.
“We are going to defeat hate speech – and Covid-19 – together.” – Xinhua
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