GENEVA (17 November 2020) – The scourge of hate speech in social media targeting minorities, which has contributed to discrimination, hostility and violence around the world, will be the focus of the 13th UN Forum on Minority Issues to be held on 19-20 November. Guided by the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Fernand de Varennes, and chaired by hate speech expert, Natalie Alkiviadou, participants will discuss the critical challenges of tackling hate speech, xenophobic rhetoric and incitement to hatred against minorities. "These issues are of urgent concern as misinformation and disinformation often propagate conspiracies involving and scapegoating of minorities, preparing the ground for atrocities," said de Varennes. Among those joining the Forum will be officials from governments, the UN, intergovernmental, national and regional organisations, and civil society. Speakers will include: Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger, President of the UN Human Rights Council, Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Pramila Patten, Acting Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General on the Prevention of Genocide This year"s agenda will focus on: Causes, scale and impact of hate speech targeting minorities in social media International legal and institutional framework Regulation of online hate speech: the role and responsibility of intergovernmental organisations, States, internet companies and social media platforms Towards a safer space for minorities: positive initiatives to address online hate speech: the role of NHRIs, human rights organizations, civil society and other stakeholders. The virtual discussions will help the Special Rapporteur frame recommendations to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2020. The Forum can be viewed on UN Web TV. It is open to media, and interviews can be arranged with forum participants. For more information, including the programme and participating speakers and organisations, please visit: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Minority/Pages/Session13.aspx ENDS