Human Rights Solidarity (LHRS) Statement on the International Day for Countering Hate Speech
| Ref: PRS 2026/06/1048 | June 18, 2026 |
Human Rights Solidarity (LHRS) Statement on the International Day for Countering Hate Speech
“Unchecked Hate Speech Threatens Libya’s Stability and Social Fabric”
Human Rights Solidarity (LHRS) marks the International Day for Countering Hate Speech by calling for urgent national action to confront the rising tide of hate speech, incitement, and dehumanizing rhetoric across Libya. As the United Nations warns globally, hate speech is not merely offensive language — it is a dangerous precursor to violence, discrimination, and, in extreme cases, atrocity crimes.
“Hate speech is the first step down the path of dehumanization,” the UN Secretary‑General stated in his 2026 message. “It leads all too frequently to violence, conflict, and atrocity crimes.” LHRS echoes this warning and stresses that Libya cannot afford to ignore the growing normalization of harmful narratives targeting migrants, refugees, minorities, women, and civil society actors.
Global Lessons: Hate Speech Has Consequences
History shows that hate speech is never harmless. It played a central role in preparing societies for some of the worst atrocities of the modern era — from the Holocaust to Rwanda, Srebrenica, Cambodia, the persecution of the Rohingya, and the recent escalation in Gaza. In each case, dehumanizing language paved the way for violence by portraying entire communities as threats, outsiders, or “less than human.”
These lessons are not distant history. They are warnings.
Reminders from Libya’s Recent History
Libya’s own recent past offers painful evidence of how hate speech can open the door to grave crimes. Under the former military regime of Muammar Gaddafi, hate speech was systematically used to dehumanize political opponents and justify brutal repression. In the 1980s, Gaddafi publicly labeled dissidents as “stray dogs,” a term that preceded widespread persecution: hundreds were imprisoned for prolonged periods, hundreds forcibly disappeared, and many were executed in public squares, university campuses, military camps, and prisons, and scores of citizens were assassinated in Libya and abroad.
In the 1990s, the regime escalated its rhetoric by branding opponents as “heretics,” a label that paved the way for severe human rights violations against hundreds of Libyans. This culminated in one of the darkest chapters in Libya’s modern history: the mass killing of nearly 1,200 detainees in Abu Salim Prison on 29 June 1996 — a crime remembered today as the Abu Salim Massacre.
When popular protests erupted in February 2011, Gaddafi again resorted to dehumanizing language, calling protestors “rats” in a televised speech on 22 February 2011 and vowing to “cleanse Libya of the rats.” This rhetoric alarmed the international community, as it constituted a direct call by a head of state to commit war crimes against civilians.
After the fall of the regime, and as political rivalry intensified from late 2012 onward, hate speech spiraled out of control. No ethical, religious, or legal boundaries were respected. This toxic environment fueled repeated atrocities, armed conflicts, and cycles of revenge, continuing until the defeat of Haftar’s offensive on Tripoli in May 2020. Although political hate speech has since receded, it has increasingly shifted toward migrants and refugees, who now face some of the most hostile rhetoric in the country.
Libya has lived through the consequences of hate speech. These memories must serve as a national warning.
Libya: A Critical Moment
While Libya is not facing the conditions of genocide, LHRS stresses that the patterns of harmful rhetoric emerging in public discourse are deeply concerning. Over the past year, LHRS has documented:
- Escalating campaigns against migrants and refugees
- Calls to expel UNHCR and delegitimize its presence
- Online incitement encouraging harassment and mob gatherings
- Narratives portraying entire communities as “threats”
- Gender‑based hate speech targeting women and activists
- Increasing polarization across political, regional, and tribal lines
These trends do not arise in a vacuum. They reflect institutional gaps, weak regulation of media and digital platforms, and the absence of a unified national strategy to counter hate speech.
LHRS emphasizes that protecting vulnerable groups is not only a legal obligation — it is a moral and religious duty deeply rooted in Libyan values. Islamic tradition commands compassion toward the wayfarer and protection for those seeking refuge. Libya’s own history reflects a culture of hospitality and solidarity.
A Call for National Action
On this International Day, LHRS urges Libyan authorities to take immediate steps to confront hate speech and prevent escalation:
- Issue a clear public statement rejecting hate speech
The Government should affirm that incitement against migrants, refugees, minorities, and civil society actors is unacceptable and violates Libya’s international obligations.
- Develop a National Action Plan to Counter Hate Speech
Inspired by the UN Strategy and global best practices, this plan should include:
- Legal definitions and safeguards
- Monitoring and early‑warning mechanisms
- Education and digital literacy programs
- Support for victims
- Engagement with media and technology platforms
- Strengthen cooperation with UN agencies
Rather than fueling misinformation, Libya should work with UNHCR and other partners to regulate and improve coordination through a formal Memorandum of Understanding.
- Protect vulnerable groups
Security institutions must prevent inciteful gatherings and ensure the safety of migrants, refugees, and humanitarian workers.
- Empower civil society
Civil society organizations should be supported in documenting hate speech, raising awareness, and promoting dialogue across communities.
A Message to Libyan Society
LHRS calls on all Libyans — educators, religious leaders, journalists, influencers, and ordinary citizens — to reject narratives of hatred and division. Hate speech harms everyone. It weakens our social fabric, threatens civil peace, and undermines Libya’s future.
“No one is born to hate,” the UN reminds us. “Hate is learned — and it can be unlearned.”
Libya stands at a crossroads. The country can choose the path of dignity, coexistence, and justice — or allow harmful rhetoric to deepen divisions and fuel instability. On this day, LHRS reaffirms its commitment to building a Libya where every person is protected from discrimination and hatred, regardless of identity, origin, or belief.
Human Rights Solidarity Organization
Tripoli, Libya
June 18, 2026
