International Day for Countering Hate Speech 2025: Know the theme, history, and significance behind the day

International Day for Countering Hate Speech 2025: To combat hatred, discrimination, racism and inequality, the UN passed a resolution in July 2021 to promote 'inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech.'
Highlighting the worldwide concern over 'the exponential spread and proliferation of hate speech, ' the resolution acknowledged the importance of combating discrimination, xenophobia, and hate speech.
It encourages all relevant actors, including governments, to step up their efforts to address hate speech under international human rights law.
The resolution established June 18 as the International Day for Combating Hate Speech, based on the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate.
It further explains hate speech as 'communication that attacks or discriminates against individuals or groups based on identity factors like religion, ethnicity, or gender', however, it is yet to finalise a universal legal definition for the same, being still under discussion.
This year, it will be commemorated on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, with the theme 'Hate Speech and Artificial Intelligence Nexus: Building coalitions to reclaim inclusive and secure environments free of hatred.'
To commemorate the day, the United Nations invites countries, international organisations, civil society groups, and individuals to undertake activities and projects that promote measures for identifying, addressing, and combating hate speech.
Hate speech travels faster and farther than ever, and we all have a part to play in stopping it in its tracks.
🛑 Stop & Think
💭 Fact-check
👩🏾‍🏫 Educate
🚫 Challenge
🌍 Support those affected by hate speech
🤝 Report hate speech online/offline
Join us in saying #NoToHate! pic.twitter.com/imFjkO758t
— UN Development (@UNDP) June 18, 2025

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