Helsinki Committee urges politicians to publicly condemn spread of inter-ethnic hatred
Skopje, 17 August 2022 (MIA) – The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights has voiced concern that the Ohrid Framework Agreement celebration organized by the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, instead of having a unifying character, was another occasion for spreading hate and inter-ethnic intolerance. The Committee believes that public condemnation is the least that politicians can do, and calls on the Government to condemn the outbursts of hatred and essentially commit to social cohesion in the country.
The announcement by the presenter in Macedonian language booed by those attending the celebration is the direct opposite of the idea of a multicultural festival and sparks hatred between the ethnic communities in the country. All the more concerning is the absence of condemnation by the Government, which further affects polarization in society,” the Helsinki Committee said in a press release.
The Committee points out that it closely monitors and responds to hate speech, which is one of the main factors that lead to hate crime.
“Ethnicity has dominated for years as the most common basis for hate speech and acts of hatred, and young people make up most of the perpetrators and victims. This is precisely why we believe that public condemnation is the least that political structures can do, particularly in a situation when other mechanisms for dealing with this phenomenon are practically non-functional. Without a clear and unequivocal condemnation of the people who spark inter-ethnic strife, the celebration of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, whose spirit is etched in coexistence, peace and inclusiveness in society, is undoubtedly meaningless,” reads the press release.
The Helsinki Committee adds that politicians must not normalize hate speech, because that way they themselves contribute to fueling an atmosphere of division, tension and destabilization.
