The United Nations General Assembly declared June 18 as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.

While there is no universal definition of hate speech, the Recommendation Rec(97)20 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on “Hate Speech” defines hate speech as “(…)all forms of expression which spread, incite, promote or justify racial hatred, xenophobia, anti-Semitism or other forms of hatred based on intolerance, including: intolerance expressed by aggressive nationalism and ethnocentrism, discrimination and hostility against minorities, migrants and people of immigrant origin.” In one of its decisions, the Constitutional Court stated that inciting other forms of intolerance based on aggression, nationalism, and ethnic centrism should also be considered within the scope of hate speech. The Court recognized that expressions of hatred targeting disadvantaged groups such as those based on skin color, ethnic origin, refugees, migrants, foreigners, or other disadvantaged groups should be considered as types of hate speech. (Mehmet Aytaç Case, C. No: 2017/26514, 11/2/2021, para. 19)

Hate speech and hate crimes pose a threat to the principle of equality, which is a requirement of democratic societal order; often target vulnerable groups, exacerbate discrimination, and foster alienation. Hate and prejudice may appear on bases such as “religion, race, color, and ethnic origin” or sometimes “disability and age” and in daily life, particularly on digital platforms, they can manifest in various forms of violence, including inciting violence, weakening social cohesion, and causing psychological, emotional, and physical harm to individuals.

Hate, which is a form of verbal violence targeting the sacred religious values and beliefs of an individual or group, can also be directed towards a particular religion as well as all branches/sects outside the dominant position of a specific religion. There are numerous examples of verbal violence containing hateful content based on religion, belief, and sect directed particularly towards Muslims around the world. It's also possible to say that hate speech targeting foreigners, immigrants, and ethnic groups constitutes a form of racial hate speech. Especially different ethnic groups are stigmatized as “enemies” positioning them as a source of fear and anxiety in society. In this century, millions of people displaced by countless wars and conflicts are exposed to this language of hate as they strive to survive in various countries.

Our Institution, main mission of which is to protect the right to equal treatment of persons and to prevent discrimination in exercising the legally acknowledged rights and freedoms, celebrates the International Day for Countering Hate Speech with the hope of building a world where all forms of prejudice and discrimination-based hate speech come to an end, and equality prevails.

Respectfully anounced to the public.