Marking the 2026 International Day for Countering Hate Speech, António Guterres warned that hate speech remains a dangerous force that fuels discrimination, division, and violence against vulnerable communities worldwide.
Guterres described hate speech as “the first step down the path of dehumanisation,” emphasizing that it is increasingly amplified through digital platforms and artificial intelligence. He noted that online algorithms often reward outrage, misinformation, and divisive content, while anonymity can make it more difficult to hold perpetrators accountable.
The UN chief stressed that freedom of expression should never be used as a justification for spreading hatred. Since launching the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech in 2019, the United Nations has sought to coordinate efforts to identify, prevent, and counter hate speech while respecting international human rights standards.
The warning comes amid growing concern about online hostility directed at women, migrants, refugees, LGBTQIA+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and other minority groups. According to Kalliopi Mingeirou of UN Women, emerging technologies are accelerating the spread of misogynistic content and anti-equality narratives. She highlighted how artificial intelligence is being used to create deepfakes, synthetic images, impersonation content, and other forms of image-based abuse targeting women.
The UN has also advanced broader efforts to improve the quality of digital information through its Global Principles for Information Integrity, which advocate for greater transparency, user control over online experiences, and stronger protections around personal data.
To mark the International Day, the UN is hosting several events focused on combating hate speech, including discussions on discrimination against Roma communities in Europe, partnership-based approaches to countering hate speech, and the role of art and culture in preserving memory and preventing atrocities.
The UN’s message is that addressing hate speech is not only about moderating harmful content but also about protecting human dignity, strengthening social cohesion, and preventing discrimination from escalating into violence.
