UN human rights chief ‘disgusted’ by the surge in cases of hate speech

The UN human rights chief has strongly denounced the “sharp rise in hatred globally” since the war between Hamas and Israel began on Oct. 7.

Volker Turk said in a statement he was “disgusted” by the surge in cases of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other hate speech, both online and offline.

“The impact of this crisis … has sent shockwaves across every region, dehumanizing both Palestinians and Jews,” Turk said.

“We have witnessed a sharp spike in hate speech, violence, and discrimination, deepening social fractures and polarization … I have heard from both Jews and Muslims that they don’t feel safe, and it saddens me,” he added.

Turk said that around the world, “Islamophobic and anti-Semitic harassment, attacks, and hate speech have multiplied, including in the context of protests relating to the conflict.” He said homes and religious buildings had been defaced with threatening symbols along with other images and messages “meant to frighten and provoke hate.”

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also hit out at “inflammatory, toxic and hateful rhetoric” used by political leaders.

“The torrent of hateful language being used, including on social media, is abhorrent,” he said.

Turk said “evil words have been accompanied by vile deeds,” which he blamed on the “vicious language” emanating from the streets and politicians.

Turk also voiced concern about undue restrictions on protests over the conflict, saying nations often cited risks to national security or the glorification of terrorism to justify such action.

“In some cases, we have seen blanket or disproportionate restrictions on assembly predominantly in the context of pro-Palestinian protests,” he said.

Turk insisted that any restrictions on peaceful assembly had to be proportionate and based on law.