Minister of Human Rights suggests national policy to fight hate speech

Brazil’s Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship Silvio Almeida said Monday (Mar. 6), during the first meeting of the working group on strategies to combat hate speech and extremism, the fight against extremism and hate speech should become a national policy. 

Created on March 22, the group brings together representatives of the federal government, researchers, experts from various fields, communicators, and digital influencers, among others, and it is responsible for proposing public policies on human rights on the issue.

The group should conclude its work after 180 days. According to the schedule, which is expected to occur in three stages, first there will be a diagnosis on the theme, then the proposition of measures, and finally the elaboration of a final report, to be sent to the minister for evaluation.

Among the thematic axes to be addressed by the group are issues such as religious intolerance, hate speech on the Internet, racism and xenophobia, violence against women and misogyny, LGBTphobia [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender], and political violence.