Hate speech against migrants, refugees stems from disinformation, says group

 

Nalini Elumalai says separate anti-discrimination or equality laws are needed to combat hate speech against migrants and refugees.

PETALING JAYA: Hate speech against migrants and refugees stems from social inequality and disinformation about these communities, says rights group Article 19.

The NGO’s programme officer, Nalini Elumalai, said inequality means that their right to be heard is undermined.

When this right is removed, she said, the issues and concerns are negated and the communities become more vulnerable to bigotry, prejudice and marginalisation.

Nalini said disinformation, including false narratives such as those portrayed in the media, reinforces certain stereotypes which lead to the migrants and refugees being demonised by society.

Nalini Elumalai.

“This, in turn, results in more slurs and hateful messages directed towards them,” she told FMT in conjunction with International Day for Countering Hate Speech.

She said such negative narratives about the migrants and refugees are compounded by the laws on hate speech, which she described as “problematic”.

Most of the current laws, such as the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the Sedition Act 1948, as well as some of the provisions of the Penal Code, do not tackle legitimate hate speech towards the likes of migrants, Nalini said.

“These laws also do not comply with the standards governing restrictions on the right to freedom of expression under international law.

“Instead, they are being used against everyone to stifle freedom of expression,” she said.

To eliminate hate speech, she said, a more inclusive approach is needed, including separate anti-discrimination or equality laws.

Nalini also called on Putrajaya to adopt the United Nations’ Rabat Plan of Action, a UN framework which has a “whole-of-society approach” to countering hate speech.

James Bawi Thang Bik of the Myanmar Ethnic Organisation shared her sentiments on laws to combat hate speech, saying MPs should advocate a wider interpretation of hate speech that protects refugees and migrants.

“In practice, hate speech is a term limited to certain people or communities. Right now, it looks like discriminating against refugees and migrants is fine, but it only becomes an offence when it comes to the local community,” he said.

Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani.

Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation Malaysia head Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani claimed that he does not see Malaysian MPs use the toolkit, launched a year ago, to counter hate speech and xenophobia against refugees and migrants at the parliamentary level.

The toolkit by the Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) recommends that MPs engage with the media and civil society to achieve a shared understanding of migration issues.

Charles Santiago.

“We must find out how MPs can use this toolkit effectively, as hate speech and xenophobia are ongoing,” Zafar said.

APHR co-chair Charles Santiago agreed, saying he has not seen much discussion of the treatment of migrants and refugees in parliamentary debates.

“Our MPs should look into other parts of the world that have allowed for more progressive policies that foster a more welcoming approach and yield positive results from the integration of migrants into society,” Santiago said. - FMT