Under-Secretary-General & Special Adviser to
@UN
Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide.
Working relentlessly to
#PreventGenocide
with
@UNOSAPG
.
One of the questions we often get at
@UNOSAPG
is what is the difference between
#Genocide
, Crimes Against Humanity and
#WarCrimes
?
So, I’m going to break down the differences.
Thread 👇
I am deeply alarmed about the increase in violence & hate speech in the Democratic Republic of the Congo & have issued a joint statement with High Commissioner for
@UNHumanRights
@Mbachelet
.
We are calling for all attacks against civilians to stop immediately.
#preventgenocide
“On April 7th, we began
#Kwibuka28
, the period of mourning in which we pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda."
Thread 👇
I visited the Nkamira center housing Congolese Tutsi fleeing the DRC, yesterday.
The harrowing stories I heard of identity-based attacks, brutal killings, tortures, rapes, I am carrying with me.
They will be heard. We must urge action for peace & safety, and their return home.
The Special Adviser
@WairimuANderitu
was briefed on the living conditions in refugee camps & talked with people housed in Nkamira, who are mostly from conflict zones in
#DRC
, including Kivu.
She listened to their heartbreaking stories of violence and unimaginable hardships.
"Today is the 30th anniversary of the beginning of the Siege of Sarajevo". We remember the victims and survivors.
During my visit to
@SrebrenicaMC
, Director
@SuljagicEmir1
personally showed me around and shared the story of how he survived the
#Srebrenica
#Genocide
.
Thread 👇
#PreventingGenocide
and countering hate speech requires a multi-stakeholder approach.
𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗢𝗙 𝗨𝗦 need to be engaged as this is the best way to honor the victims and survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
#NeverForget
🇮🇶: I met with Nobel Peace-laureate
@NadiaMuradBasee
to discuss key protection priorities for the
#Yazidi
community, including the fate of women and girls in ISIL’s captivity, ahead of my visit to Iraq.
#Genocide
according to international law, means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, such as:
🇲🇲: It’s shocking that almost five years since the 2017 violence against the
#Rohingya
in
#Myanmar
, which resulted in over 700k fleeing to neighbouring Bangladesh, the risk of atrocity crimes, in particular genocide, facing this population in their home country remains unchanged.
🇲🇲: The
#Rohingya
refugees that I engaged with expressed their wish to return home to
#Myanmar
, but only when they can do so in a safe manner, with access to equal rights. For this to happen, we must hold accountable those who perpetrated these vicious crimes against the Rohingya
🇲🇲: Having suffered decades of discrimination and dehumanization, including to citizenship, the
#Rohingya
continues to be one of the most vulnerable communities in the world and we must do more collectively to secure their safety, protection, and basic human rights.
My thoughts are in
#Srebrenica
.
With the many families I met in the past years. Those who are burying the remains of their loved ones tomorrow and those who are searching still for any remains to be buried.
All while standing up to rampant
#genocide
denial on a daily basis.
#Srebrenica
genocide was the worst atrocity crime on European soil since WWII. Ahead of
#Srebrenica28
Commemoration, we pay tribute to the victims and respects to their families.
We remind of stories carried by
@MSrebrenice
.
We echo their calls to justice.
Humbled to have joined the walk and
@AUC_PAPS
on
#Kwibuka29
commemoration this week, honouring the victims and survivors of the 1994 genocide againt the Tutsi in
#Rwanda
.
We have to not only remember and learn from the past, but keep vigilant on the warning signs of genocide.
African Union Political Affairs Peace and Security
📽 📽 📽 Today, 7 April 2023, at the AUHQ
A walk to Remember in memory of the victims and in solidarity with survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in
#Rwanda
#Kwibuka29
Looking forward to moderating this high-level conversation with 🇷🇼 Minister
@onduhungirehe
on the dangers of
#hatespeech
and importance of acting in time.
This Wednesday in our 🇺🇳
#SDGMediaZone
, and
#SDGLive
at 12PM ⬇️
📅Mark your calendars!
#UNGA79
Minister
@onduhungirehe
will join USG
@WairimuANderitu
, Special Adviser to
@UN
Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, for a fireside chat on “Addressing the Dangers of Hate Speech”.
📺Tune in on Wednesday 25/09 at 6PM Kigali time (12PM
#WarCrimes
can be committed against a diversity of victims. According to the Geneva Conventions protected victims include:
- Wounded, Sick, or Surrendered Armed Forces
- Prisoners of War
- Civilians
- Medical & Religious Personnel
- Humanitarian Workers
- Civil Defence Staff
Crimes against humanity are widespread attacks against any civilian population. Non-civilians might also become victims of the attack, but the ultimate target of the attack must be civilians.
They can be committed in war and/or in times of peace.
#CrimesAgainstHumanity
Our
@UNOSAPG
office welcomed the
@UN
Secretary-General
@antonioguterres
last week.
The team was excited to share reflections following the SG's address on 2023 priorities, including combating hate speech. Together we are
#CommittedToPrevent
atrocity crimes.
“Hate speech promotes racism, xenophobia and misogyny; it dehumanizes individuals & communities.”
Today I shared remarks from
@UN
Secretary-General
@AntonioGuterres
at the
@UN_PGA
High-Level meeting to commemorate the first International Counter Hate Speech Day.
Say
#NoToHate
In
#Brazil
, I met indigenous peoples and other groups at risk, who have lost their land, homes, families, & friends.
They now only live for the day, fighting for their land rights and dignity. They demand land demarcation now. (1/x)
I am deeply concerned about the situation in regions of
#Nigeria
where air attacks resulting in casualties from the Fulani community took place.
In this extremely volatile environment, it is important that the upcoming elections do not trigger violence and even atrocity crimes.
Latest statement by the
@UN
USG and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide,
@WairimuANderitu
on the worsening security situation in
#Nigeria
⤵️
🔗
"Hate Speech is an inherent threat to our values & principles.
We cannot let the word “speech” fool us: this trend has grave material consequences on the lives of those it targets & has particularly adverse effects on those most vulnerable."
#NoToHate
-
@Abdulla_Shahid
,
@UN_PGA
🇧🇩: I want to thank the government of
#Bangladesh
for facilitating my first official visit to Bangladesh to meet with
#Rohingya
refugees in Cox’s Bazar, other government officials, civil society representatives, and religious leaders.
The small embroidered flower that the Mothers of
#Srebrenica
@MSrebrenice
gave me the first time we met, is always with me. A daily reminder of the innocence lost, of futures lost, and of the pain that never ends.
This week I had the opportunity to welcome
@MSrebrenice
at
@UN
HQ.
“In
#Rwanda
, hate speech was there for all to hear; messages of hatred were not communicated through whispers, ear to ear, but through megaphones, village by village and in the airwaves. The Tutsi were dehumanized through
#hatespeech
.”
- Killing members of the group
- Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group
- Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part
🇳🇬: This week I met with traditional actors from across 5 regions which resulted in a draft Plan of Action for Traditional Leaders and Actors to Prevent Atrocity Crimes.
Their proactive involvement is critical and the plan shares their commitment to these 4 goals:
Thread👇
In Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, there are temporary shelters barely holding on at the edge of a highway. This is where I met Damiana: resilient & relentless, in the face of unimaginable loss. Still landless.
She only wants justice & dignity, but time is running out. (3/x)
An important message from
@UN
Secretary-General
@AntonioGuterres
from today's High-Level
@UN_PGA
event.
"Hate speech incites violence, undermines diversity and social cohesion, and threatens the common values & principles that bind us together."
Say
#NoToHate
#PreventGenocide
Join me today – Friday, May 27th
@RwandaUN
&
@UNOSAPG
will host an event to Mark the 28th Anniversary Commemoration of the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
⏱️10:00am - 11:30am NYT
🔗Join Here:
#Kwibuka28
🇲🇲: In March 2021, I issued a joint statement with
@UNHumanRights
,
@mbachelet
, on the importance to ensure accountability for past crimes in
#Myanmar
, to deter the most serious international crimes from being committed again. I want to stress this even more after my visit.
🇲🇲 Top
@UN
officials condemn
#Myanmar
military’s widespread, lethal and increasingly "systematic" attacks on peaceful protesters after bloodiest day since protests began.
@UNOSAPG
Nderitu and
@mbachelet
call for an end to systemic impunity in Myanmar.
👉
Last year, we launched a Policy Paper on Combating
#Holocaust
and
#Genocide
Denial, with
@JBI_HumanRights
, highlighting the need to address genocide and Holocaust denial urgently and firmly, and in full respect of international human rights standards. Key points 🧵⤵️
The Policy Paper on Combating
#Holocaust
and
#genocide
denial was launched with
@JBI_HumanRights
last year and it sets out recommendations to stakeholders on how to effectively address challenges through 5 specific sections ⤵️
Find the full 📰 here 👉
Briefing
#HRC
today on preventing incitement to
#genocide
in
#digital
space, as we mark
#GenocideConvention75
. Across the world, many communities remain at risk of genocide & related atrocity crimes, targeted by hate speech & incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence ⬇️
"New technologies and social media have allowed
#hatespeech
to spread and be amplified at rates never seen before".
@WairimuANderitu
, Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide (
@UNOSAPG
), warned the
@UN
Human Rights Council about the alarming rate of hostilities online.
Very good to have reconnected with the former President of South Africa and the Chairperson of the
@commonwealthsec
Observer Group to
#Nigeria
, H.E. Thabo Mbeki, discussing our previous work on preventing violence during elections.
Thankful for the opportunity to reconnect with
@fernanddev
,
@UN
Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues this week and discuss the unceasing efforts to
#StandUp4HumanRights
& ensure rights protection for persons belonging to minorities in every corner of the world.
@UNHumanRights
Preventing atrocity crimes & combating hate is possible!
Working tirelessly, against all challenges, is the unceasing mission for me and
@UNOSAPG
team. Today w Simona Cruciani, Programs Team Leader, our aspirations conveniently reflected by this poster in one of the meetings ⤵️
We are observing today,
#YomHaShoah
,
#HolocaustRemembranceDay
.
👉 We remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust.
👉 We remember the Jewish resistance that accompanied and followed these events.
👉 We remember the misery, the grief, the pain.
@TheIHRA
x
@UN
Thankful to the representatives of
#civil
society in
#Nigeria
for sharing their views and concerns with us, highlighting the need to ensure peaceful elections and acceptance of results. The voice and needs of communities need to be heard, for fostering inclusive & safe societies.
Advancing
#genderequality
requires systemic change.
Proud to be part of the action with these amazing
#women
leaders showcasing how
@UN
walks the talk both internally and externally, thanks to the 🇺🇳 Secretary-General
@antonioguterres
's leadership on
#genderparity
Strategy 📈
We must honor each and every one of the victims, whose lives, hopes, dreams, and aspirations were cut short by senseless violence that built upon explicit calls to destroy an entire group, based on who they were.
My Office is the United Nations focal point on hate speech. The United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech represents the commitment of the
@UN
to address and counter
#hatespeech
globally.
Words have power.
Genocide and other atrocity crimes begin with words.
These words can escalate into large-scale violence and atrocities.
Take action and say
#NoToHate
to
#PreventGenocide
:
I was humbled to hear their stories, which they hoped I would keep.
Their voices need to be heard, and their demand for justice honoured.
I will be sharing some of them here in the coming days. (2/x)
Officially out - our new tool with
@UNESCO
for policymakers and educators with practical recommendations to effectively tackle
#hatespeech
in and through
#education
⤵️
Thankful to 🇨🇷 Ministry of Public Education,
@CRcancilleria
and
@UNCOSTARICA
for the joint efforts.
#HateSpeech
violates fundamental human rights.
#Education
is key to help learners understand the consequences & impact of their words & actions on other people.
@UNESCO
&
@UNOSAPG
's new guide on addressing hate speech through education:
20ys ago, the war-destroyed Old Bridge, symbol of
#Mostar
🇧🇦, was reconstructed.
I cannot but recall breaking bread with religious leaders of all faiths under this bridge in 2021; & how we marveled at it in eternal inspiration to our promise to build unity in face of divisions.
Words can be weapons.
The Holocaust didn’t start with gas chambers. It started with hate speech.
Say
#NoToHate
and make your social feeds a no to hate zone.
🔗:
#preventgenocide
Hate speech can be an indicator and trigger of atrocity crimes. By addressing hate speech, we can prevent genocide and other atrocities.
Say
#NoToHate
and
#PreventGenocide
I walked w
@MSrebrenice
through the 'Stories of Survival & Remembrance' exhibit, featuring stories from 🇧🇦 as told through objects which survived them.
We all must keep telling their stories in the face of rampant
#genocide
denial & preserve the facts of
#Srebrenica
.
#NeverAgain
Today, June 1⃣8⃣, 2022 is the first-ever
@UN
International Day for Countering Hate Speech.
Hate speech online can lead to atrocity crimes.
Join us today on June 18th.
Say
#NoToHate
and
#PreventGenocide
.
Learn more: and
The Policy Guidance on Holocaust and Genocide Denial is out.
Let's:
💠 Protect Survivors,
💠 Preserve Memory, and
💠 Promote Prevention
#PreventGenocide
cc:
@JBI_HumanRights
Efficiently countering
#hatespeech
requires thorough analysis of trends which amplify it.
Thankful to have met with
@CICOM_UCR
team at the Universidad de Costa Rica who are setting up a great analytical basis.
"Never forget:
💠 how easily 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 turns to hate crime,
💠 how societies with no room for diversity have no room for humanity.
We must never again allow the world to relive the horror of the Holocaust."
-
@antonioguterres
Say
#NoToHate
|
#PreventGenocide
Thankful to the members of
#civilsociety
in
#CostaRica
, representing women, people with disabilities, afro-descendants, indigenous, LGBTI, refugee and migrant communities.
Their voices and experiences have to be heard, and right to safe and secure living environment protected.
With the rector of
@UPEACE
, Mr. Francisco Rojas, today, discussing opportunities for educational programmes inclusive of atrocity
#prevention
& hosting the global launch of the new guide on addressing hate speech through education with
@UNESCO
.
Thankful to the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, for his leadership on
@UNOSAPG
Plan of Action for Traditional Leaders & role in Peace Accord signing in 🇳🇬, essential for supporting communities in finding
#peaceful
ways to prevent violence & atrocity crimes
📣 June 1⃣8⃣, 2022 marks the first-ever International Day for Countering
#HateSpeech
.
From checking facts to reporting hate speech, there are a number of actions you can take to say
#NoToHate
and
#PreventGenocide
.
Learn more: and
Hate speech has real consequences.
Say
#NoToHate
:
💠 Make your social feeds a no hate zone.
💠 Fact-check
💠 Challenge hate by sharing messages of tolerance.
💠 Support people targeted by hate speech.
💠 Report hate speech on social platforms.
#preventgenocide
Hate speech attacks a person or a group on the basis of identity and leads to real harm. By countering it, we protect victims.
Let’s unite to implement GA resolution 75/309 on interreligious & intercultural dialogue in countering hate speech.
Say
#NoToHate
and
#PreventGenocide
I was honoured to join the very first observance of Intl’ Day of Reflection & Commemoration of
#Srebrenica
Genocide
@UN
.
It is a testament to unwavering perseverance of survivors, including Mothers of Srebrenica & Zepa. It is an everlasting remembrance of their lost loved ones.
‘We must fight against division & intolerance, stand up for human rights, & promote mutual understanding & reconciliation.’
Special Adviser
@WairimuANderitu
reads SG’s mssg at 11 July General Assembly observance of Intl’ Day of Reflection & Commemoration of
#Srebrenica
Genocide.
No society is immune from Genocide and no society is immune from hate speech.
Let’s celebrate International Day to Counter Hate Speech established by GA resolution 75/309
Say
#NoToHate
and
#PreventGenocide
The same place the memorial center stands today is the same place the women and men were separated- the men were taken to be killed and Emir as interpreter was witness to the unfolding
#genocide
.
I advocate and mobilize for appropriate action – across the
@UN
and with all other relevant actors.
My work entails:
👉 Acting as an early warning mechanism to the
@UN
Secretary-General
@antonioguterres
& other relevant actors to the risk of atrocity crimes.
#preventgenocide
Last week, I met with H.E. Amb. Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith, Permanent Rep of
@SudanMissionUN
. Discussion focused on the conflict in country, esp Darfur region where my Office has warned of prevailing risk factors for atrocity crimes, & on what needs to be done to prevent genocide
Words can be weapons, leading to devastating consequences in real life.
💭think critically
📚check facts
📱 click wisely
More tips on how you can say
#NoToHate
:
At their 104 and 96 years of age, Mr. and Mrs. Papito have spent their lives fighting for their land rights in Mato Grosso do Sul State in 🇧🇷.
Having lost almost their entire family, they told me their only wish is to see demarcation of their ancestral land before they die.(4/x)
Incitement is the most serious form of
#hatespeech
and is prohibited under international law. Offline protection mechanisms should be extended to online environment 👉 with
@fernanddev
today
@Concordia
@MIGSinstitute
on countering online hate towards racial & ethnic minorities ⤵️
O ódio é ensinado e pode ser combatido.
El odio se enseña y se puede contrarrestar.
La haine est enseignée et peut être combattue.
Hate is taught and can be counteracted.
@UNOSAPG
"Nenhuma criança nasce com ódio. O ódio é ensinado. Devemos prestar atenção ao discurso de ódio. O que ele pode fazer. Sua capacidade de destruir completamente." - Alice Nderitu, Assessora Especial da ONU para Prevenção do Genocídio.
🎥:
Diga
#N
ãoAoÓdio
Today, we stand in solidarity with black people of African descent, and the descendants of slaves.
May we use this
#Juneteenth
to reflect on how far we have come.
May we also deepen our commitment to prevent atrocity crimes & protect human rights.
#PreventGenocide
#NoToHate
Crimes against humanity are widespread attacks against any civilian population. Non-civilians might also become victims of the attack, but the ultimate target of the attack must be civilians. They can be committed in war and/or in times of peace.
#CrimesAgainstHumanity
But
#HateIsTaught
& can be fought - I welcome the
@UN_HRC
increased efforts to work for a world free from genocide & related atrocity crimes; and engagement with this focused discussion on role of social media platforms & their instrumentalisation by those seeking to spread hate.
"It is time to transform our approach to
#peace
by recommitting to the
@UN
Charter - putting human rights and dignity first, with
#prevention
at the heart."
Our SG
@antonioguterres
lays out 2023 priorities to the General Assembly, reminding that it all starts with peace ⤵️
We must work harder for peace everywhere.
We must work harder for the two billion people who live in countries affected by conflict & humanitarian crises.
The world needs peace.
H.E. Alice Wairimu Nderitu, UN Under-SG & Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide,
@UNOSAPG
"We need a culture of prevention of conflicts but if you see the funding that goes into prevention it's so small compare to the money for conflicts"
#InternationalDayofPeace
This week w Prof
@VereneAShep
, Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
#CERD
, discussing our mandates. CERD independent experts monitor implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
#Discrimination
by its States parties.
Exposure to hate speech can have serious consequences for the mental health of vulnerable groups.
It's also an early warning sign of atrocity crimes.
As we close out
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
, say
#NoToHate
and help address the impact it has on society.
#PreventGenocide
Today is the first-ever International Day for Countering Hate Speech.
The UN remains committed to preventing and countering
#Hatespeech
and has put out the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.
Say
#NoToHate
and
#PreventGenocide
Read it here:
#EidMubarak
to all those who are celebrating around the world marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. May this day bring forth peaceful, inclusive, and just societies.
#EidalFitr
The spread of misinformation during a crisis can be dangerous.
❌ Don't share rumors.
☑️ Choose content verified by reliable sources.
#PledgetoPause
and check the facts before sharing content online.
They are the ever-present voice in our tireless work on genocide prevention, & work to counter hate speech & genocide denial which is an affront to victims and survivors.
I pay my respects to them.
The survivors, their families, their lost loved ones.
#Srebrenica28
@MSrebrenice
The epitaph on Raphael Lemkin’s grave simply reads “Father of the Genocide Convention”.
One line summary of a “bigger than life” story, of resistance & persistence.
65 yrs later, we paid respects to that extraordinary life w
@PLinUN
& previewed the exhibit honoring his legacy.
On the 65th anniversary of Rafał Lemkin's death, Amb.
@KSzczerski
,
@WairimuANderitu
🇺🇳, and
@PLinNewYork
honored the visionary 🇵🇱 lawyer who coined the term 'genocide' and initiated the 1948 Genocide Convention.
His legacy inspires fighters for justice and human rights worldwide.
#UNGA78
is in session, meeting point of the 🌎.
Good to meet President
@LulaOficial
, following my May visit. Respecting the dignity of everyone, in particular all protected groups in 🇧🇷, remains priority for my mandate. I stand ready to continue collaborating w 🇧🇷 in this regard.
🇧🇩: During my visit to
#Bangladesh
last month, I visited Dhaka University and the War Liberation Museum where I met Professor Imtiaz Ahmed and Professor Mofidul Hoque and their teams to discuss my mandate on the prevention of genocide and the role academia and research.
Las mujeres en la política son a menudo los primeros blancos del discurso de odio, solo por ser mujeres.
Aún así, trabajan y se esfuerzan para mejorar la vida de todas las personas desde la función pública. Estoy muy agradecida de que compartan sus experiencias conmigo en 🇨🇷
While it does not erase the pain and suffering of the victims, Sheka's conviction in DR Congo provides encouragement that he has been brought to account & is significant for
#RuleOfLaw
in DRC.
It is also a demonstration of what can be achieved w cross-cutting partnerships. 📽️⤵️
On Criminal Justice Day,
@UN
brings a story of warlord Sheka in DRC, whose conviction sends a powerful message that perpetrators of atrocity crimes incl genocide, war crimes & crimes against humanity, no matter how influential, will be brought to account.
The trauma of genocide can be transmitted across generations.
If we care about mental health we must support efforts to
#preventgenocide
.
For
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
I urge global action to help in reducing potential exposure to risk factors.
‘Sing a song for
#women
, of
#equality
, development &
#peace
’, on
#IWD2023
& every day. For a 🌏 in which every little girl achieves her potential.
Thankful for powerful conversations with women leaders on margins of
@UN_CSW
, including the side event led by Dame
@PaulineKTallen
.