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Фото: Alex Khimich / Wikipedia
Roma were the most frequent target of hate speech
The number of attacks and threats against people who openly criticize the state language law or express positive opinions about the Russian language has increased, the UN noted.
In 2020, cases of use of hate speech and threats against national minorities were documented in Ukraine. This is stated in the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Interfax-Ukraine reports on Thursday, March 11.
“OHCHR continued to document incidents of hate speech and threats against national minorities, including Roma, Russian and Hungarian speakers, foreign students, and a new wave of hatred and threats against critics of the state language law was recorded” said the director of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine Matilda Bogner at a press conference in Kiev.
He said that, as in the past, among national minorities, Roma were the most frequent targets of online and offline hate speech, including incitement to violence.
“OHCHR is concerned that the police continue to investigate these cases with less serious qualifications and do not take into account the motives for the attacks that are based on the identity of the victims. The authorities should condemn the attacks, threats, intimidation, hate speech and in a systematic way Supporting law enforcement agencies to ensure a prompt, impartial and effective investigation of such incidents, “emphasized Bogner.
He also noted that since January 16, 2021, the number of attacks and threats against people who openly criticize the law on the state language or express positive opinions on the Russian language has increased.
“The authorities must publicly condemn these incidents and initiate investigations when necessary,” he said.
In addition, during the reporting period, OHCHR recorded 18 threats and attacks against journalists and other media workers, human rights defenders, civil and political activists, representatives of the LGBTI community or its supporters, as well as representatives of ethnic minorities.
On the eve of the October 2020 local elections, Bogner said that OHCHR witnessed a series of attacks against members and staff of political parties, mainly against two opposition parties “considered by many pro-Russians.”
Earlier, the UN said that the decision to ban the NewsOne, 112 Ukraine and ZiK channels could affect freedom of expression in Ukraine. They believe that the protection of national security is a legitimate objective of the state, but the media have the right to disseminate a variety of information and ideas.
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