The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has warned of the dangers of hate speech, stating that it can lead to wars and crimes against humanity, including genocide.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the UNSMIL said, “manipulating public discourse for political gain is nothing new, but hate speech and misinformation can result in widespread and devastating discrimination, dehumanization, and violence.”

The mission also highlighted the distinction between freedom of expression and hate speech, stressing that freedom of opinion and expression is a cornerstone of human rights and a pillar of free and democratic societies.

News