The speech that incites hatred or discrimination became an ugly reflection of the freedom of expression. In the national legal framework and when we speak about the European standards, hate speech is a form of intolerance of difference social groups expressed publicly. It is much easier to make use of prejudice and stereotypes, fears and hate in society than, for example, to propose a plan of action that would really help the people. This type of speech is dangerous not only from political or electoral angle, said Dumitru Sliusarenco, expert of Promo-LEX Association.
Contacted by IPN, Dumitru Sliusarenco said Promo-LEX, with the support of Soros Foundation Moldova, last autumn started to implement a project to develop civic activism and to promote human rights. The project will continue until this August and monitoring speech that incites hatred and discrimination in the mass media and the public sphere is one of the main activities.
Speaking about the manipulation rhetoric in election campaigns, Dumitru Sliusarenco said a politician, if this wants, for example, to avoid explanations as to how he will ensure the building of 200 km of road, will say that his opponent is homosexual or a Muslim. The prejudice persisting in society will supplement the picture, which is will incite the hate of the voter for whom it is important for a person who forms part of a group that he hates not to come to power.
“If we publicly promote messages that will have the goal of convincing the public that the Muslims or migrants are terrorists, we will perpetuate a stereotype that for many people will become truth. This can happen when this information is disseminated by TV channels, radio stations or when political leaders and opinion shapers speak about this. Consequently, a Muslim who will find himself in a community in Moldova will have to fight the already created negative image and, very probably, will even be in the situation to prove that he is not a terrorist,” explained the expert of Promo-LEX.
In conclusion, Dumitru Sliusarenco said the effects of hate speech are more powerful when this speech is used more often. It is important to understand that the freedom of expression is a fundamental value of democracy, but not an absolute one. The state should ensure a balance between the observance of these values and non-admission of the violation of the rights of others. Society should also assume responsibility for contributing to ensuring this balance, not allowing noxious rhetoric and contributing to penalizing such expressions.
Even if speech that incites hatred or discrimination is often used in the public sphere in the Republic of Moldova, the cases of punishment are few in number, said the expert.
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Dumitru Sliusarenco is an expert within the project “Consolidation of a platform for developing Human Rights activism and education in the Republic of Moldova”, of Promo-LEX Association.
