News
Hate Speech and Violent Extremism as Driving Factors Leading to Violence and Atrocity Crimes
28th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)
Vienna, 23 May 2019. Within the framework of the 28th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect in partnership with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Research Institute (UNICRI), is organising a side event on hate speech and violent extremism.
The side event, entitled “Hate Speech and Violent Extremism as Driving Factors Leading to Violence and Atrocity Crimes” will take place on 23 May at the Vienna International Centre (Conference Room M7) from 2.20 to 3.10 p.m.
The meeting aims at enhancing knowledge of the increasingly widespread phenomena of hate speech, hate crime and violent extremism, which represent a direct threat to human rights, sustainable development, peace and security, and can escalate to violence as well as to atrocity crimes.
The side event will also examine intolerance and discrimination as driving factors of hate speech, focusing on analyses of the circumstances under which they can lead to violent extremism and atrocity crimes. The challenges in preventing these acts will also be illustrated. Finally, the meeting will discuss best practices at a national, regional and global level to counter hate speech and strengthen societal resilience.
High level speakers will include: Ms. Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Director a.i., UNICRI; Mr. Castro Wesamba, Chief of Office, Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect; Ms. Manuela Brunero, Programme Officer, UNICRI; and Mr. Paul Giannasi, Police Hate Crime Policy Lead, National Police Chiefs’ Council, United Kingdom.
About the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect The Office works to advance national and international efforts to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity (atrocity crimes), as well as their incitement. The UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Mr. Adama Dieng has been recently tasked by Secretary-General António Guterres with leading the system-wide design of a UN Strategy and Plan of Action to address hate speech.
About UNICRI The Institute mission is to advance justice and the rule of law in support of peace and sustainable development. Established in 1968, the Institute develops and implements improved policies in the field of crime prevention and justice. UNICRI adopts a multi-sectoral and holistic approach, incorporating research, exchange, and dissemination of knowledge, specialized training, and the creation of strong partnerships as integral components. As a member of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, UNICRI contributes to the implementation of coordinated efforts across the UN. The Institute has enhanced the capacity of law enforcement authorities and legal and media professionals to counter discrimination against vulnerable groups, hate crime, and online hate speech. In particular, the Institute promotes innovative tools to identify, investigate and counter hate crime and hate speech, and to support victims.
Vienna, 23 May 2019. Within the framework of the 28th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect in partnership with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Research Institute (UNICRI), is organising a side event on hate speech and violent extremism.
The side event, entitled “Hate Speech and Violent Extremism as Driving Factors Leading to Violence and Atrocity Crimes” will take place on 23 May at the Vienna International Centre (Conference Room M7) from 2.20 to 3.10 p.m.
The meeting aims at enhancing knowledge of the increasingly widespread phenomena of hate speech, hate crime and violent extremism, which represent a direct threat to human rights, sustainable development, peace and security, and can escalate to violence as well as to atrocity crimes.
The side event will also examine intolerance and discrimination as driving factors of hate speech, focusing on analyses of the circumstances under which they can lead to violent extremism and atrocity crimes. The challenges in preventing these acts will also be illustrated. Finally, the meeting will discuss best practices at a national, regional and global level to counter hate speech and strengthen societal resilience.
High level speakers will include: Ms. Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Director a.i., UNICRI; Mr. Castro Wesamba, Chief of Office, Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect; Ms. Manuela Brunero, Programme Officer, UNICRI; and Mr. Paul Giannasi, Police Hate Crime Policy Lead, National Police Chiefs’ Council, United Kingdom.
About the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect The Office works to advance national and international efforts to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity (atrocity crimes), as well as their incitement. The UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Mr. Adama Dieng has been recently tasked by Secretary-General António Guterres with leading the system-wide design of a UN Strategy and Plan of Action to address hate speech.
About UNICRI The Institute mission is to advance justice and the rule of law in support of peace and sustainable development. Established in 1968, the Institute develops and implements improved policies in the field of crime prevention and justice. UNICRI adopts a multi-sectoral and holistic approach, incorporating research, exchange, and dissemination of knowledge, specialized training, and the creation of strong partnerships as integral components. As a member of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, UNICRI contributes to the implementation of coordinated efforts across the UN. The Institute has enhanced the capacity of law enforcement authorities and legal and media professionals to counter discrimination against vulnerable groups, hate crime, and online hate speech. In particular, the Institute promotes innovative tools to identify, investigate and counter hate crime and hate speech, and to support victims.