Syria Urged to Address Grievances and Strengthen Rule of Law to Combat Hate Speech

In Damascus, a senior official from the National Commission for Transitional Justice emphasized that Syria must address public grievances and strengthen the rule of law to combat hate speech and prevent social divisions.

Hassan Jubran, the director of national reconciliation at the commission, stated in an interview with SANA that mere slogans and counter-rhetoric are insufficient to prevent hostility from escalating among social groups.

He explained that perceptions of injustice and unresolved grievances might cause individuals to see others as complicit in their suffering or unwilling to assist, thereby fostering an environment conducive to hate speech.

Enhancing governance and government performance, he added, would help alleviate these concerns and reduce tensions.

Criticism, incitement and media freedom

Jubran emphasized that transparency, fact-finding, and access to information are crucial for countering divisive narratives.

He cautioned that content framed as criticism might sometimes constitute deliberate incitement or misinformation, especially on social media platforms where emotionally charged claims can spread without evidence or constructive solutions.

He advocated for increased public participation in decision-making, while safeguarding freedom of expression and access to information.

Furthermore, Jubran opposed prior censorship of media content, promoting a pluralistic media environment that reflects Syria’s diverse identities and cultures. He asserted that professional codes of conduct and media laws should encourage responsible expression without imposing content restrictions.

Media training and awareness campaign

These remarks were made as the Ministry of Information, the Syrian Media Academy, and the United Nations Development Programme concluded a six-month project focused on enhancing media capacity to counter hate speech and support peacebuilding efforts.

Project findings indicate that 35 training programs were conducted across nine provinces, benefiting over 775 participants.

Additionally, the three partners launched the “Words Build” campaign on October 6 to raise awareness about hate speech, incitement, and misleading rumors, while promoting the responsible sharing of content.

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