The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk deplored on Saturday “a sharp increase in hatred” in the world since the Hamas attacks on October 7. Volker Türk strongly deplored, in a press release, the increase in cases of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and other hate speech.
“The impact of this crisis… has reverberated everywhere, dehumanizing both Palestinians and Jews. We are seeing a significant increase in hate speech, violence and discrimination, a deepening social fractures and polarization, as well as the denial of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” he regretted. “I have heard Jews and Muslims say they do not feel safe, and that saddens me,” the UN official added.
The Israeli army is surrounding the Gaza Strip’s main city, attempting to crush Hamas in retaliation for the October 7 attacks that Israeli authorities say killed about 1,400 people in Israel, most of them civilians. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 9,400 Gazans, mostly women and children, have been killed during the Israeli offensive.
Freedom of expression
Volker Türk said that across the world, “Islamophobic and anti-Semitic harassment, attacks and hate speech have increased, including in the context of conflict-related protests.” The High Commissioner also denounced the “inflammatory, toxic and hateful rhetoric” used by political leaders. “The torrent of hate speech used, including on social media, is abhorrent,” he said. “International law is clear on this matter. Any appeal to national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence is prohibited,” he said.
Volker Türk also expressed concern about the limits imposed on freedom of expression in the context of the conflict, noting that some countries had decided on significant restrictions on the right to demonstrate, citing risks linked to national security or the glorification of terrorism. “States must guarantee a safe space conducive to participation and debate,” he said. “They cannot unduly restrict participation and debate or critical commentary on the conflict, or expressions of solidarity with Israelis or Palestinians.”
“In some cases, we have seen blanket or disproportionate restrictions on gatherings, primarily in the context of pro-Palestinian protests,” he added.