NHRC concerned over escalation of hate speech

Qatar National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has noted with great concern the escalation of the discourse of hatred and incitement to violence against Qatar and citizens and residents of Qatar by some media outlets, including social media sites in the siege countries.In a statement issued yesterday, the NHRC said it has monitored hundreds of incidents of hate speech and incitement to violence, some of which have resulted in incitement to target Qatar with terrorist and subversive operations, incitement to attack Qatar and its media, and incitement to violence in dramas and music videos, to intimidate citizens and residents of the country in a precedent that is almost the first of its kind in the Arab region.The committee also monitored a speech of racial discrimination aimed at the disdain of Qatari citizens, which escalated violently due to the involvement of some public figures, and some of the well-known media personalities in the blockade countries.The committee deeply regrets this misguided conduct and irresponsible behaviour contravening the principles and charters of human rights, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and notes that all the present incitement to hatred and violence will undoubtedly generate extreme reactions that may lead to criminal and subversive acts against Qatar and citizens and residents of Qatar, which in turn threatens peace, security and stability in the entire region, particularly the Gulf region.The NHRC holds all those who participate in these violations full legal and moral responsibility for any racist acts or acts of violence that might be committed against Qatar and citizens or residents of Qatar.The NHRC calls upon the competent authorities in Qatar to take the necessary legal measures, including resorting to justice and prosecuting those responsible for the discourse of hatred and incitement to violence.It also calls on the international community, international and regional human rights organisations, and United Nations human rights mechanisms, in particular the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance to act to stop these persistent violations of human rights that threaten peace, security and stability in the Arab region. (QNA)