States quiz How are hate speech laws misused by governments? Check all that apply. Governments exploit vaguely worded sedition, blasphemy, national security or counter-terrorism laws to justify suppressing criticism and avoid being held accountable. Dissent is often mislabelled as hate speech and censored in the name of preserving stability. Governments place public morals or public decency above protecting marginalised people from discrimination and violence. All of the above Under international human rights law, what obligations do governments have with regard to hate speech? To ensure equality and non-discrimination for all, governments must strengthen laws and policies that tackle discrimination and prejudice. Governments must repeal laws that prevent people from holding them accountable such as 'sedition' laws. Governments must end impunity for attacks on independent and critical voices. Governments must place public morals over the rights of individual citizens. States have an obligation to protect their citizens from violence and discrimination under international human rights law. What positive policy measures can states take to counter hate speech? Leaders and politicians need to actively speak out against hate speech and intolerance. Governments need to provide equality training for the police, the judiciary, the armed forces, medical professionals and other public officials. Governments need to ensure pluralism and equality in the media. States need to ensure that public education at all levels challenges prejudices, avoids stereotyping and dispels myths. All of the above Δ
