17/06/2025 Equality and Non-Discrimination
Statement by Francesco Verducci (Italy, SOC), PACE General Rapporteur on Combating Racism and Intolerance, on the eve of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech (18 June):
“In a climate marked by geopolitical tension, conflict and rising polarisation within society, hate speech is dangerously gaining ground. It is increasingly present in daily life — most pervasively online, where social media platforms often serve as echo chambers of hateful and stigmatising language. This digital dimension has made hate speech more visible, more accessible and more insidious, exposing individuals to violent and demeaning messages directly on their personal screens. What once remained on the margins is now repeated and amplified in public discourse.
The repercussions are severe. Hate speech harms those it targets directly — women, migrants, ethnic, national and religious minorities, LGBTI people — undermining their dignity, safety and sense of belonging. It also sends a chilling message to all citizens: that public life is not a space for everyone. Beyond the immediate pain it inflicts, hate speech paves the way for a process of dehumanisation. If left unaddressed, it leads to exclusion and entrenched discrimination and, in some cases, escalates into violence. Hate crimes do not emerge in a vacuum — they often start with words that degrade and divide.
Hate speech poses a serious threat to democracy, as it undermines the fundamental principle of non-discrimination and deprives minorities of agency, freedom of expression and full participation in public life — favouring the dominance of the perpetrators. It is essential for national parliaments to adopt measures to combat hate speech and safeguard democratic values, with particular attention to online platforms.
We must invest in human rights education, public awareness campaigns and more opportunities for dialogue and civic participation — particularly for young people and those most at risk of marginalisation. Civil society is a key ally in this work. On this International Day, I urge fellow parliamentarians, policymakers and public officials to forge stronger partnerships with community representatives — especially from groups disproportionately targeted by hate speech — so that their voices help shape our policies and institutions. Together, we can make real progress towards a public life based on respect, inclusion, and dignity for all.”