South Sudan celebrates maiden international day for hate speech
South Sudan today, June 28 joined the rest of the world in commemorating the first-ever International Day for Countering Hate Speech – IDCHS.
The 75th UN General Assembly session recently adopted a resolution encouraging interreligious and intercultural discussion and tolerance.
The resolution declares June 18 to be a yearly International Day for Combating Hate Speech.
The day was however marked almost ten days later in Juba, today, June 28.
The initial declaration of this day came in 2021, but it couldn’t be observed last year for unforeseen reasons.
The Day was celebrated under the theme “Promoting Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and Tolerance in Countering Hate Speech”.
The event was attended by government officials, diplomats, media practitioners, and other international organizations.
Hate speech is verbal or written abuse or threats that indicate prejudice on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, or other comparable grounds.
If tolerated, hate speech can promote aggression, erodes societal harmony and tolerance.