The first workshop, which was held at the Anantara Siam Hotel in Bangkok on 5 September, was hosted by the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University. There were 31 in person and online participants, which included members of the UNDP, civil society and academia/think tanks.
The second workshop was held at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta, 7 September. There were 15 in person and online participants, which included some representatives from the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR), media, civil society and academic/think tank experts.
In the workshops, case study writers and members of the APWG introduced the themes and purpose of the report, including an explanation of the relationship of hate speech and incitement to atrocity prevention. Specifically, the presentations highlighted the report’s key findings and recommendations to workshop participants.
Key themes and recommendations
Both workshops generated important discussion around key themes:
- The importance of understanding the effects of digital platforms on the dynamics of hate speech and incitement to violence in the region.
- Entry points for combatting hate speech and incitement in Southeast Asia, particularly in multi-ethnic societies that are facing identity-based conflicts or communal tensions, along with unresolved past atrocities, ongoing political polarization, and violent extremism.
- The relevance of incorporating the prevention of hate speech and incitement in ongoing training programs for the youth sector.
- The need for a more systematic effort in providing capacity building and training for relevant governments agencies and other non-state stakeholders.
Some of the recommendations/suggestions from participants in these workshops include:
- Expanding the report to cover additional case studies such as Thailand and Sri Lanka, as well as other relevant case studies in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Consider developing materials for education, training and capacity building in the prevention of hate speech and incitement for government and non-state stakeholders, based on the key findings case studies and recommendations contained in the report.
- Explore opportunities for partnership with regional stakeholders, including existing mechanisms in ASEAN, in promoting a deeper understanding of the nature and dynamics of hate speech and how it can contribute to building capacities of states and societies in atrocities prevention as part of developing a culture of peace in the region.
- Identify other key actors and stakeholders in the region, such as religious and community leaders, who can play a significant role in combatting hate speech and incitement.
