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Alice Nderitu, the UN's top official on preventing genocide, delivered a strong message on Friday about the serious threat of hate speech to global peace and security, especially for vulnerable communities worldwide.

In her role as the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Genocide Prevention, Nderitu stressed that hate speech doesn't just lead to physical violence—it also deepens discrimination, stigma, and dehumanization in societies.

"Violence doesn't start with physical attacks; it starts with words. Hate speech divides communities, fuels discrimination, and incites violence," she emphasized during her address to ambassadors at the Security Council.

Nderitu's briefing was tied to Security Council resolution 2686, adopted unanimously in June 2023. The resolution calls on UN Member States to condemn and prevent hate speech, extremism, and violence, while promoting tolerance, dialogue between cultures, women's participation, and quality education. It also emphasizes the need for monitoring and quick reporting of hate speech incidents.

In areas of conflict or crisis, Nderitu warned that hate speech worsens existing tensions and vulnerabilities. When mixed with misinformation, it can deepen divisions and directly threaten civilians, potentially leading to severe international crimes like genocide or war crimes.

She also pointed out how social media amplifies hate speech, allowing it to spread rapidly across different groups and intensify harm on the ground, especially affecting minorities and women in public spaces.

However, Nderitu cautioned against knee-jerk reactions that could restrict freedom of expression. "Banning speech or shutting down the internet isn't the answer and could violate basic human rights, including free speech," she argued. Such measures might silence activists, journalists, and others who speak out against hate speech.

Highlighting the UN's commitment to tackle hate speech, Nderitu discussed the comprehensive UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech. This framework uses dialogue, education, and efforts to promote social cohesion and peace within communities. She noted its implementation across the UN system, supporting national efforts by Member States to combat hate speech while upholding human rights and protecting civilians.

Since the resolution passed, Nderitu noted that several UN peacekeeping missions have stepped up efforts to counter hate speech, with a focus on gender-based hate speech.