Guterres wants united stand
Secretary-General in Christchurch urges world to extinguish hate speech after attacks
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for widespread efforts to “extinguish” hate speech that spreads like “wildfire” on social media as he visited Christchurch.
Guterres placed flowers at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre yesterday and said he had ordered a UN team be set up to improve the organisation’s way of dealing with hate speech and to develop a “global plan of action”.
“Hate speech is spreading and public discourse is being coarsened,” he said. “Social media is being exploited as a platform for bigotry. We must all show solidarity in response to this dangerous upsurge in hatred.”
He said he had asked Adama Dieng, special adviser for the prevention of genocide, to form a team to come up with an international strategy.
“Hate speech is spreading like wildfire in social media. We must extinguish
it. There is no room for hate speech — online or offline.”
His promise comes as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern prepares to address world leaders and tech giants in Paris for the Christchurch Call summit, which will try to find a global path for tackling hate speech.
Guterres, who is visiting New Zealand before flying to Fiji to attend the Pacific Islands forum this week, laid flowers outside Al Noor Mosque before meeting some of those injured in the attacks as well as Imam Gamal Fouda and Muslim Association of Canterbury president Shagaf Khan.
Speaking outside afterwards, Guterres said he had also set in motion an initiative to safeguard holy sites.
The secretary-general, who was joined by Climate Change Secretary James Shaw ahead of environmental talks in Christchurch later in the day with Nga¯ i Tahu, said he makes a “visit of solidarity” each year during Ramadan. Last year it was to Mali, in 2017 to Afghanistan.
“This year, because of the terrible terrorist attack against your community, I wanted to be here with you,” he said.
“Ramadan is a season of reflection, remembrance and renewal. I am here to express my deepest condolences, my profound respect, and the fullest measure of my solidarity to you, your families and the community.
“In these trying times, I am here to say with a full heart: You are not alone. The world is with you. The United Nations is with you.”