Hurt people, broken communities: The socio-psychological consequences of hate speech
Francesca Le Pera * Introduction Hate speech is often defined as a mere “crime of words”, generated by the inevitable deterioration of free speech in modern societies. However, it actually represents a form of social harm, which can easily translate into the systematic stigmatization and discrimination of entire communities. When words target people based on […]
When Hate Becomes a Weapon: Why State-Driven Hate Speech Demands New Responses
Miranda Mchedlishvili * Not All Hate Speech is the Same Hate speech has traditionally been understood as a social problem rooted in prejudice and community tensions. But not all hate speech is the same. Authoritarian regimes now weaponise hate speech as a tool of digital transnational repression, running coordinated campaigns at industrial scale to silence […]
Caught in the Crossfire: Women’s Experiences of Violence in War
Weronika Pilsniak * “Violence against women means any act of gender-based violence that is rooted in discrimination, unequal power relations, gender stereotypes and harmful social norms that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, psychological, social or economic harm or suffering to women and girls, including threats of such acts, neglect, coercion […]
Confronting Islamophobia: Reflections on 15 March
Camilla Portinaro* On 15 March, the international community observes the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, a date designated by the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 76/254 to promote a global culture of tolerance, dignity, and peace. The date is also deeply symbolic: it marks the anniversary of the Christchurch Mosque shootings, a horrific act […]
Hate Speech: The Invisible Crime of the New Era
Hongyu Pan * Introduction For a long time, hate speech has often been seen as a cultural or moral problem. Its definitions were largely confined to symbolic or discursive levels. In the digital age, however, this view does not fully capture the harm it can cause. Hate speech shapes social groups and influences individual psychology. […]
Prevention as Policy: Why Governments Should Invest in Early Action
Hongyu Pan * Introduction For many years, governments have relied mainly on punishing crime after it happens, through heavier penalties, longer jail terms, and stricter enforcement. This “reactive” approach is straightforward, easy to implement, and produces immediate but often short-term results. But while it may look effective on the surface, it often fails to prevent […]
The Economic Costs of Ignoring Hate Speech: Why Inaction Is More Expensive Than Prevention
Introduction Public discussions about hate speech usually focus on ethics, human rights, or social cohesion. Yet one dimension remains widely underexplored: the economic cost of failing to address hate speech effectively. As governments, companies, and societies grapple with rising online hostility, the financial consequences of inaction grow increasingly clear. From lost productivity to public health […]
The Accident of Birthplace
Nikoloz Gagnidze Today is International Migrants Day, a moment, perhaps, to step back from the familiar arguments and ask a more basic question of what is it that is actually argued in the political discord? One place to start is with a brief historical rewind. Branko Milanovic reconstructed global income data and found that in […]
Why the Digital Age Demands an International Approach to Regulating Hate Speech
Introduction In an era where communication travels across continents in milliseconds, hate speech has escaped the boundaries of national jurisdictions. A slur posted in one country can target a community thousands of kilometres away, amplified by algorithms and reproduced endlessly in digital memory. This phenomenon, often described as time–space compression, makes traditional, nationally focused regulation […]
The Human Dimension Conference: A United Fight Against Hate Speech
Maria Genet Drejer-Jensen * For Solidarity with OTHERS, participating in this year’s Human Dimension Conference was about more than representation — it was about contributing our experiences into the international human rights dialogue, and making sure that our perception, and the realities we see each day are reflected in policy discussions. The Rise of Right-wing […]