UN Warns of Hate Speech Against Minorities During Corona Crisis

The United Nations warned against exploiting the coronavirus crisis conditions to advance economic and political interests and to attack religious and ethnic minorities in various societies, calling for solidarity between people and governments in fighting this disease.

According to UN experts, insufficient information about how COVID-19 spreads, concerns about the risk of contracting the coronavirus, and exploitation of the fears caused by this crisis have led to increased xenophobia and hate speech against ethnic and religious minorities in various societies.

Ahmad Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief, said on Wednesday, April 22, in Geneva: “I call on governments, religious leaders, civil society, media and the general public to take action against hate speech and xenophobia.” He also called for support and solidarity with those who become victims of such attacks in these difficult circumstances.

The UN expert recalled that in many countries, this pandemic has intensified violent behavior against minorities. Ahmad Shaheed expressed concern about the growing tendency in some societies to portray Christians, Jews or Muslims as “spreaders of corona.” He said the same applies to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

According to Mr. Shaheed, governments are obligated to prevent any incitement regarding promoting acts of violence based on identity boundaries along religious or ethnic lines.

He added that people infected with the coronavirus are exposed to verbal and physical attacks, death threats, and deprivation of vital health care. This expert said: “To combat misinformation, it is important for countries to establish effective solutions and communication channels so that accurate and reliable information is made available to the people.”