Asser Institute – Hate speech and incitement: International criminal and humanitarian law perspectives (HILAC Lecture)

In recent years, the United Nations has remarked on a worldwide surge in hate speech and incitement, and considered them ‘a menace to democratic values, social stability and peace.’ In spite of the urgency to address hate speech and incitement, there is no one universal definition of hate speech or incitement in international law.

This HILAC lecture, organised by the Asser Institute in collaboration with the University of Groningen, will critically discuss the opportunities and difficulties in identifying a holistic and integrated definition of hate speech and incitement in international law. For example, to what extent does the principle of legality, which is fundamental to international criminal law, limit reliance on human rights law and practice? How does one distinguish between propaganda, hate speech, and incitement in international humanitarian law? How do we surface gendered hate speech and gender-based incitement in international criminal judgments? The lecture by Audrey Fino will be followed by an expert panel discussion that will bring together several diverse perspectives. 

Speakers

• Dr. Uladzislau Belavusau
• Predrag Dojčinović
• Audrey Fino
• Judge Alphons M. M. Orie