The United Nations has advised Nigerians to shun hate speech during the upcoming election season to curb election violence and related crimes.
Ms Alice Nderitu, the UN Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Genocide Prevention, gave the advice in Abuja on Friday when she briefed journalists during her official visit to Nigeria.
Nderitu was speaking against the backdrop of the upcoming 2023 general election, starting on Saturday, February 24, 2023.
He said that the state’s electoral process since 1999 has proven its commitment to democratic values.
The UN official, therefore, called on Nigerians to refrain from hate speech before and after the election, as anything that could lead to violence and related crimes.
“My duty is to prevent genocide and related crimes. I am charged to raise the alarm through early warning to the Secretary General and the Security Council when there is a risk and to mobilize action to prevent that risk.
“My office also leads the implementation of the UN strategy and action plan on hate speech, launched by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in 2019.
“This strategy provides guidance for UN entities and other social actors to address hate speech at the national and global levels, and promotes efforts to address the root causes and causes of hate speech including racism and racial discrimination.
“This strategy is in line with international human rights standards and the right to freedom of opinion and expression,” he said.
He identified the spread of hate speech and the lack of independent mechanisms to deal with it as some of the early warning signs and risk factors that could lead to genocide.
Other early warning signs identified include the proliferation of local militias and armed groups, particularly dehumanizing violence perpetrated against civilians based on ethnicity, religion, race, or nationality.
“No part of the world is immune to the risk of these crimes and indeed all societies have indications of risk; it is how society responds to this risk that determines if the situation escalates to a more serious concern.
“Election season in Nigeria has witnessed an increase in the use of inflammatory language, hateful and divisive rhetoric; such hate speech has been amplified to an unprecedented level by digital technology.
“Hate speech, especially when accompanied by policies and practices that discriminate against populations based on their identity often leads to hate crimes, discrimination, and violence.
“It can be a precursor and trigger of atrocity crimes, especially genocide, fighting and dealing with hate speech is important,” he added.