Elections - UN human rights chief: concern about hate speech and populists
The advance of populist politicians in Europe and other regions is causing great concern for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. Particularly during election periods, there are often hate speeches used to disparage others, Türk stated in Geneva. He mentioned Europe, the USA, and India among others. There should be no tolerance for this in politics.
Türk urges vigilance
When asked about France, where the far-right National Rally became the strongest party in the first round of voting, Türk said: "I am always concerned when I hear people disparaging others and dehumanizing migrants, refugees, asylum seekers or minorities, making them scapegoats. We must be very vigilant." The decisive second round of voting in France takes place on Sunday.
We should remember in Europe that disparaging others is often a precursor to even worse behavior, Türk said in a press conference.
Türk criticizes traditional parties
"I call on all those who are going to vote or are about to vote to carefully examine the election programs to see if they respect the human rights of all people," Türk said. One should ask why so many people are disillusioned with politics and thus easy prey for extremists and populists. He also sees a failure on the part of established political parties. "The traditional parties do not seem to care about how they can conduct their work to address the legitimate concerns of the population and the electorate." We must put pressure on politicians to improve.
Türk's concerns extend beyond Europe, as hate speech and disparagement have also been noted in the world region of India.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, strongly condemns the use of hate speech and discrimination, emphasizing that it is a violation of human rights.
In a statement issued in Geneva, Switzerland, Türk expressed concern about the rise of hate speech in various international contexts, including in political campaigns.
The International community should take a firm stand against hate speech and work towards promoting a culture of respect and unity, Türk suggested.
Türk's call for action comes as the far-right Rassemblement National party in France continues to gain momentum, with their leader Marine Le Pen vying for the presidency.
The UN has previously criticized the Rassemblement National for its stance on immigration and discrimination, and Türk's concerns only underscore the need for political leaders to uphold human rights values.
In the midst of this global challenge, Türk reiterated the UN's commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, emphasizing that it is a shared responsibility for all nations.
