Combatting racist hate speech 2013, para. 15

Paragraph
Paragraph text
[While article 4 requires that certain forms of conduct be declared offences punishable by law, it does not supply detailed guidance for the qualification of forms of conduct as criminal offences. On the qualification of dissemination and incitement as offences punishable by law, the Committee considers that the following contextual factors should be taken into account:] The economic, social and political climate prevalent at the time the speech was made and disseminated, including the existence of patterns of discrimination against ethnic and other groups, including indigenous peoples. Discourses which in one context are innocuous or neutral may take on a dangerous significance in another: in its indicators on genocide the Committee emphasized the relevance of locality in appraising the meaning and potential effects of racist hate speech.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Document type
General Comment / Recommendation
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Equality & Inclusion
Person(s) affected
  • Ethnic minorities
Year
2013
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
CERD General Recommendation No. 35, Combatting racist hate speech (2013), para. 15.
Paragraph number
15