Civil human rights organizations and the most representative unions sign a social pact against hate speech in Spain [editar]

With the aim of translating it into a State Pact that eradicates from the public sphere messages that stigmatize and point towards groups in situations of vulnerability.

The civil society organizations that work for human rights and the most representative unions in Spain have signed a text agreed-upon in recent months that defines a social pact against hate speech in the face of proliferation of this type of message in the public sphere.

The signatory entities have transferred the text to the political parties to ensure that it is translated into a State Pact, since hate speech is the prelude to hate crimes. According to the report on hate crimes from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, in 2021 hate crimes grew by 6%. Likewise, ILGA (the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex association) directly relates the increase in hate speech to the increase in attacks in its Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Intersexual people in Europe and Central Asia. 

Thus, through this agreement, promoted by the activism of LGBTI+ people, organisations that defend the rights of homeless people, migrants, refugees, Roma, young people, people with HIV or disabilities, among others, and the most representative unions, have asked the parties to promote an institutional agreement in Spain to shield human rights, in particular against hate speech.

They have also urged them to assume the political commitment to comply with European and international human rights regulations as well as promoting restorative justice, where groups in situations of vulnerability participate.

With this Pact, the signatory entities seek to strengthen the social and political consensus in the defence of groups in a vulnerable situation, from the rejection of hate speech that blames these minorities for real or fictitious problems. In addition, they seek to inform victims of their rights and the tools they had to know how to exercise them.

According to the president of the LGTBI+ State Federation, Uge Sangil, "the pointing out by some political representatives of these groups has a terrible and disproportionate effect because it channels the frustrations of the population against people who have difficulties defending themselves due to their situation of inequality. They fuel aggression and discrimination and put social coexistence at risk.”

Specific measures

Designed text also includes a series of concrete measures to be adopted such as the development of awareness campaigns; statistical analysis of hate speech; the preparation of an annual study of the individual and collective impact that these messages have on people in situations of vulnerability or training on hate speech directed towards work environments, civil servants, state security forces and bodies, educational centres, the health field, among others.

The Social Pact has been signed by the State Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Trans, Bisexuals, Intersexuals and more (FELGTBI+); Fundación Triángulo; Asociación Chrysallis; ONCE Foundation; CERMI; Cesida; the Youth Council of Spain; Network Hosts; CEAR HOGAR SÍ; Fundación Secretariado Gitano; CCOO and UGT (main unions in Spain). These organizations have defended that "speech and hate speech against groups in vulnerable situations, and its consequences, build a Spanish society with more violence, more attacks, and more discrimination."

It is a society that is worse than any democrat person would wish for, a true regression that requires determined action from society alongside political parties to stop the increase and hatred against groups in a situation of vulnerability in Spain. That is why the entities that have tirelessly fought to advance in the protection of human rights, must act to counteract this urgent situation. We cannot afford to take any step back.

The Spanish society is one of the most open and respectful societies towards diversity. The signatory organizations state that hate speech puts social coexistence at stake and is contrary to the model of inclusion and respect that the Spanish society has always exemplified. It is for this reason that this Pact will be a fundamental tool to continue advancing in the protection of rights for all people.