Preventing Atrocity Crimes: Countering and Addressing Hate Speech Format Distinguished panelists, colleagues, partners from across the world, A sincere thanks to Ms. Alice Nderitu, UN Special Adviser on Genocide Prevention, and all distinguished panelists who will enrich our discussion today and our skilled moderator Mr. Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues. We look forward to this event being another step along the road of even closer collaboration. The past and present taught us painful lessons of indifference, inaction, or inadequate action. ‘Never again’ – in some cases, remains an aspirational goal. The UN recognizes the undeniable and consequential role hate speech plays in promoting violence, from violent extremism to atrocity crimes. Hate speech evolved in complexity and scope. The widespread use of social media has given hate speech a larger audience online. This led to dehumanization of the other. We consider this a form of cultural violence, which pushed many ordinary people to glorify and commit violent action against other people.