An innovative plan from Muscat to tackle hate speech

We all know that the power of language is like a double-edged sword. Words can be used freely and profoundly to establish social connections, inspire and empower both individuals and society. Conversely, they are equally capable of manipulating, dividing and causing harm.
Words can also be wielded as weapons to reinforce prejudices, fuel conflicts and marginalise minority groups. This is what we are currently witnessing — a transition in our everyday language toward hate-filled speeches under the pretext of freedom of speech.
When the right to freedom of speech is used to cause harm, it constitutes an abuse or misuse of that right. Since free speech is not absolute, it is legally restricted when it infringes on the safety, dignity, or rights of others.
Moreover, freedom of speech is never an absolute right. Although it is a fundamental democratic principle, courts and international bodies stress that it does not grant permission to provoke violence, disseminate hatred, or slander individuals.
Although hate speech does not have a universally agreed-upon definition under international law, it encompasses any form of hateful or contemptuous expression that attacks, degrades, or vilifies individuals based on their social identities.
The United Nations defines hate speech as any communication — whether spoken, written or behavioural — that attacks or employs pejorative or discriminatory language targeting a person or group based on their identity, including religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender or other factors.
In this backdrop is the Muscat Plan of Action, launched on June 11, 2026, as part of the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, initiated by the Secretary-General in June 2019. It aims to tackle hate speech, prevent incitement to genocide and other atrocity crimes, and strengthen peace mediation, dialogue, and local-level peacebuilding efforts.
“Hate speech is a grave and growing threat to peace and security. It divides communities, dehumanises entire groups, and sets the stage for bloodshed. It is also deliberate — a core component in the playbook for virtually every genocide and atrocity crime,” remarked UN Secretary-General António Guterres during the launch of the Action Plan.
The plan is the result of a collaborative process led by the Sultanate of Oman, the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers. It is co-hosted by the UN Alliance of Civilizations.
“Across the world, we see conflicts raging, inequalities widening, climate chaos worsening, and hate speech spreading faster than ever — amplified by unregulated platforms and intensified by artificial intelligence,” the Secretary-General pointed out.
Nations must unite to confront hate speech and uphold human rights and human dignity before it is too late. They have clear obligations under international law to combat incitement to hatred and to promote inclusion, respect for diversity, and solidarity.
“And I count on your support to ensure that the Muscat Plan of Action empowers traditional and Indigenous leaders to help counter hate and prevent atrocities,” he urged the heads of all nations.
For his part, Dr Mohammed bin Said al Maamari, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, said that the main message of the Muscat Plan of Action is: “Real peace is not built on fear. It is built through trust, not through exclusion, but through participation. It is not achieved by weakening identities, but by directing them towards serving humanity for the overall good.”
The Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech provides strategic guidance for the United Nations system to address hate speech at both national and global levels. Its objectives are twofold: first, to strengthen United Nations efforts to tackle the root causes and drivers of hate speech; and second, to enable effective United Nations responses to the impact of hate speech on societies.
The strategy and its implementation should align with the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The United Nations supports more speech, not less, as the key means to address hate speech.
Therefore, the Muscat plan is an effective and holistic response to prevent incitement to genocide and other atrocity crimes and promote peace mediation, dialogue and local peace-building.
Obviously, freedom of speech is a fundamental human right; however, if your words are likely to harm others or incite trouble, they should not be expressed.