News
UNITAMS, UNCCT AND UNESCO ENHANCING THE CAPACITIES OF SUDANESE TO COMBAT HATE SPEECH AND PREVENTING VIOLENT EXTREMISM
The Transitional Government in Sudan emphasized the need to enhance the capacity of government officials and media organizations in areas most impacted by the negative effects of hate speech Therefore the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan UNITAMS jointly with the United Nations CounterTerrorism Centre UNCCT of the United Nations Office of CounterTerrorism UNOCT and UNESCO and in coordination with Teeba press delivered a series of workshops and roundtable discussions for journalists young activists and government officials on countering hate speech and preventing violent extremism
The workshops targeted more than 120 communications officers across government ministries journalists and media professionals coming from South Kordofan Darfur Blue Nile and the Eastern States Kassala Red State and Gadarif regions most impacted by hate speech and violence motivated by misinformation and disinformation
The workshops with journalists resulted in participants independently producing and collectively signing a declaration of commitment to combating hate speech and violent extremist narratives in their regions
Two roundtable discussions were also held with 28 youth activists and 25 media leaders from across Sudan The roundtable with youth resulted in participants writing an individual commitment to mobilize to combat hate speech in their communities and advocate for tolerance peace and harmony in their universities
The workshop ended with a closing ceremony attended by officials from the Government and the United Nations including the Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Transformation HE Mr Hashim Hasabelrasoul the UnderSecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Information Mr Rashid Saeed Yagoub as well as UNITAMS SRSG Mr Volker Perthes
In his remarks Mr Hasabelrasoul stated Our country is now embarking on a new era with a new national vision to promote peace freedom and justice The curtain has dropped on a regime that encouraged hatred and discrimination among Sudanese and foreigners Combating hate speech should become a high priority of the transitional Government one of the countrys strategic objectives to ensure peaceful and secure coexistence for sustainable development and stable society
UNITAMS SRSG Mr Perthes added When talking about democracy human rights and sustainable peace we must turn our attention to the significant role played by new media technologies We all witnessed how digital media has become a frontline in the battle against authoritarianism in Sudan and social medias crucial role in the Sudanese revolution However while offering opportunities for communication and freedom of opinion digital platforms have also expanded the power and prospects for hate speech and antagonistic behaviors I wish to emphasize the need for concerted efforts of the concerned parties including government media international and intergovernmental organizations civil society educational and religious institutions to work hand in hand to disseminate a culture of dialogue and peaceful coexistence amongst all social religious ethnic political and cultural components