Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt Call for Multi-Sector Approach to Counter Hate Speech on UN-Designated Day
On the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, a United Nations observance that marks the global effort to curb hateful rhetoric, leaders from Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt gathered to advocate a holistic response that transcends legal enforcement.
The day, which is observed every year on June 18, attracted speakers from the three capitals – Baghdad, Beirut and Cairo – who underscored that laws alone cannot stem the tide of hate. Instead, they argued, coordinated action across schools, families, religious institutions, media outlets, digital platforms and civil society is essential.
The United Nations Secretary‑General, in his official statement released on the day, described hate speech as the first step on a slippery slope toward de‑humanisation, violence, conflict and atrocity crimes. He urged governments, civil society and the private sector to strengthen measures that protect human dignity while safeguarding freedom of expression.
In Iraq, Mohammed Nouri Jassim Al‑Hatami, deputy head of the Rabat Mohammadi Scholars Council and a member of the Supreme Endowment Council, linked the spread of hate speech to a combination of weak religious and cultural awareness, declining moral education and the country’s ongoing political, social and economic crises. He noted that while social media can amplify hostile content, it also holds the potential to promote tolerance when used responsibly.
Lebanese activist Maha Mohammad Jaafar distinguished hate speech from legitimate freedom of expression. She explained that defamation, degrading language, sectarian or ethnic incitement and prejudice against individuals or groups fall outside the protection of free speech. Jaafar pointed out that minorities, women, public figures, influencers, journalists and politicians are among the most exposed groups in a society where political polarization, economic pressure and recurrent crises are common.
Hanaa Hussein, an Iraqi minority‑rights activist, argued that punishment alone cannot address the problem. She stressed the importance of moral and spiritual education that teaches respect for diversity and rejects all forms of religious, ethnic, national and class prejudice. Hussein acknowledged that laws remain necessary to prevent incitement and discrimination but must be backed by a societal belief in human dignity.
Loay Yedgo Al‑Kaldani, a civil activist who monitors hate speech in Iraq, defined the tools of hate speech as insulting, degrading or hostile language directed at people because of ethnicity, nationality, religion, skin colour, gender or opinion. He emphasized that such language can erode social cohesion and fuel conflict.
In Egypt, Mirhan Metwally of the Adyan Foundation called for a response built on legislation, education, media policy and civil‑society initiatives. He urged schools and religious discourse to promote tolerance, while media outlets and digital platforms should adopt clear rules against incitement. Metwally also supported laws criminalising hate speech, provided they include safeguards against restricting legitimate expression.
The speakers concluded that coordinated, multi‑sector strategies are essential to prevent the normalisation of hostility that can make internal conflict easier to justify. No new legislation was announced during the meeting, but the call for comprehensive action was reiterated by all participants.
In a region where the consequences of hateful rhetoric have historically escalated into violence, the joint statement from Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt signals a shared recognition that legal frameworks must be complemented by cultural, educational and societal initiatives. The emphasis on a multi‑sector approach reflects a growing consensus that only through collective responsibility can the cycle of hate be broken.
The United Nations will continue to monitor progress on this day, encouraging member states to implement inclusive strategies that protect human dignity while preserving the right to free expression. The collective voices from Baghdad, Beirut and Cairo serve as a reminder that confronting hate speech requires a united front that spans beyond the courtroom and into the heart of communities.
