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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

247 rights groups demand anti-discrimination law to combat hate speech

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • 247 human rights and civic groups submitted a petition to the government demanding the enactment of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law.
  • The groups argue that addressing hate speech requires a fundamental, systematic approach, not just fragmented measures.
  • They expressed concern that regulating hate speech without an anti-discrimination law could be misused to suppress certain groups or political opponents.

A coalition of 247 human rights and civic groups has urged the South Korean government to enact a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, framing it as the essential foundation for effectively combating hate speech. The petition was submitted to the Blue House following recent public outcry over a Starbucks promotion that sparked accusations of societal insensitivity.

To combat hate speech, we need a fundamental and systematic approach, not fragmented measures.

— Campaign to Enact Anti-Discrimination LegislationStatement from the coalition of human rights and civic groups.

The groups, organized under the "Campaign to Enact Anti-Discrimination Legislation," argue that while they welcome the government's stated intention to address hate speech, fragmented responses like reviewing the closure of online communities or regulating banners are insufficient. They emphasize the need for a systematic approach that establishes clear standards for what constitutes hate speech, fostering a shared understanding of discrimination across society.

Punishment is not enough; we need to clearly define our society's values to prevent hate from gaining power.

— RangheeActivist from Human Rights Movement Space Hwal.

Activists within the coalition stressed that combating hate speech involves not just punishing bad expressions but preventing them from gaining traction. They believe a clear statement of societal values through an anti-discrimination law is crucial for holding hate groups accountable. Without such a law, they warn, individual regulations on hate speech or assemblies could be weaponized to suppress dissenting voices or specific communities.

Regulating hate speech without an anti-discrimination law risks being misused to suppress political opponents.

— HeewooActivist from Digital Justice Network.

The petition specifically calls on the government to clarify whether hate speech regulations will be narrowly focused or broadly applied. Concerns were raised that without a law prohibiting discriminatory acts, the government's attempts to regulate hate speech could be exploited to target political adversaries. The groups advocate for an anti-discrimination law that prohibits discriminatory actions against historically marginalized groups and includes provisions to regulate hate speech that incites violence and hatred.

How can we directly regulate and punish hate and mockery without a law prohibiting actual discrimination in daily life?

— Lee Jong-geolCo-representative of the Campaign to Enact Anti-Discrimination Legislation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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