UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a strong warning Tuesday, calling hate speech a growing danger to global peace and a signal of impending violence.
Newyork – In remarks ahead of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, which takes place Wednesday, Guterres said the world must treat hate speech as an early indicator of potential atrocities.
“Hate speech is poison in the well of society,” Guterres said in a statement. “It has paved the way for violence and atrocities during the darkest chapters of human history.”
The United Nations has identified hate speech as both a warning sign and a key driver of violence. According to Guterres, its spread especially through digital platforms has made the threat more severe and far-reaching.
Ethnic and religious minorities continue to face the brunt of targeted attacks fueled by hateful rhetoric. Experts say that harmful speech online often creates real-world consequences, from community tension to mass violence.
The UN’s #NoToHate campaign, launched in recent years, includes public education efforts and a video series aimed at challenging hatred and discrimination. The campaign highlights voices from different communities confronting Islamophobia, antisemitism, and other forms of intolerance.
This year, the United Nations is also focusing on the link between hate speech and artificial intelligence. The rise of AI tools and machine learning systems has introduced new concerns about how hateful content can spread unchecked across digital platforms.
Guterres acknowledged the potential for artificial intelligence to do good in conflict prevention and crisis response. But he cautioned that unregulated AI can amplify bias, reinforce stereotypes, and spread toxic content rapidly.
“Let us commit to using artificial intelligence, not as a tool of hatred, but as a force for good,” he said.
Member States have agreed to step up efforts to regulate hate speech online and hold digital platforms accountable for their role in hosting and promoting harmful content.
A recent UN report on digital hate showed a sharp increase in online abuse targeting vulnerable groups, with algorithms often pushing extreme views to wider audiences. The report recommended stronger safeguards, clearer platform policies, and international cooperation to combat hate speech.
The International Day for Countering Hate Speech was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2021. It aims to raise awareness of the impact of hateful rhetoric and to promote respect, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence.
The UN has called on governments, civil society, and tech companies to work together to protect freedom of expression while preventing hate speech from escalating into violence. It continues to emphasize education, community-building, and responsible digital communication as essential tools to reverse the spread of hate.
“The louder hate speech rings,” Guterres said, “the greater the threat of genocide.”
