Hate Speech in Syria: A Gradual Approach to Reform and Remedy
Executive Summary:
This report examines the phenomenon of hate speech in Syria as one of the most pressing challenges confronting Syrian society in the transitional phase following the downfall of the Assad regime. It highlights how the Assad regime not only relied on political repression but also deliberately fostered distrust and fear among Syrian society’s segments, paving the way for the emergence of deep, reciprocal hate speech. This discourse further escalated after the regime’s fall, particularly in the absence of justice and accountability.
In this context, the report reviews international experiences in addressing hate speech: Rwanda’s use of social justice mechanisms to rebuild trust; South Africa’s integration of accountability with reconciliation; and the Balkans’ adoption of strict legislation against incitement. Conversely, it underscores Lebanon as a cautionary example, where the absence of political will and media oversight allowed hate speech to proliferate, thereby fueling divisions.
Regarding the Syrian case, the report points to a clear societal division after the revolution. Certain groups of revolution supporters have called for justice against perpetrators of mass atrocities, and as accountability was delayed, some instances of individual retaliation emerged. Meanwhile, other groups have sought to downplay the Assad regime’s crimes, advocating for forgiveness without accountability. This reciprocal discourse deepens societal wounds and undermines any prospects for rebuilding trust or fostering communication among Syrians.
The report identifies multiple drivers of escalating hate speech: the accumulation of grave human rights violations, delays in transitional justice processes, the absence of media regulation, economic collapse, and entrenched inter-communal fears. It also warns of the role played by segments of the political, religious, and media elites in exacerbating divisions and spreading hate.
The report presents a gradual vision for addressing this phenomenon. It begins with criminalizing hate speech through clear legislation that balances freedom of expression with the protection of group rights, including the amendment of existing laws and the imposition of stricter penalties. It further emphasizes the development of responsible media and professional codes of ethics, as well as the activation of civil society’s role in launching awareness campaigns and implementing local reconciliation initiatives.
Additionally, the report calls for providing psychological, social, and legal support to victims of hate speech, alongside the development of educational programs that instill values of tolerance and acceptance of the other. It stresses the importance of launching an inclusive national dialogue that brings together diverse political, social, and religious groups to agree on a shared vision that restores trust and combats hate speech at its roots.
Finally, it should be noted that this report was prepared prior to the recent tragic events in As-Suwayda Governorate, which in turn underscore the urgency of addressing hate speech as both a precursor to actual violence and a tool for tearing apart the national fabric.
To read the full report click here (Arabic)
مدير وحدة التوافق والهوية المشتركة في مركز الحوار السوري، يحمل شهادة الدكتوراه في القانون العام من جامعة حلب، وحائز على اعتمادية المعهد العالي للحقوق في الشرق الأوسط، وعمل سابقاً مدرساً في كلية الحقوق في جامعة حلب الحرة. يركز في أبحاثه الحالية على دراسة ديناميكيات العلاقة بين المجتمع السوري والنصوص القانونية والدستورية منها على وجه التحديد.
هنادي حجار
بكلوريوس علوم سياسية من الجامعة الأردنية
ماجستير حقوق إنسان وتنمية إنسانية من الجامعة الاردنية
دبلوم علاقات عامة
باحثة دكتوراة قانون عام
ناشطة في المجتمع المدني السوري
