Stories from the United Nations Archives: Nigerian Nobel laureate condemns online hate
Wole Soyinka speaks during a series of lectures marking the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2008. (file)
This #ThrowbackThursday, as the world celebrates Day against hate speechWe’re looking back at how Nobel Laureate for Literature Wole Soyinka used strong words to stop online hate speech, call out religious extremism, and reject the notion that human rights are controlled by the media. Western imposition.
“Any suggestion that freedom of expression is a Western luxury insults the historic struggle of individuals and communities around the world for the dignity and well-being of their fellow human beings. categories, for social satisfaction, equality of opportunity, fair sharing of resources, access to housing. , nutrition and health,” said Mr. Soyinka, who spoke at the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights as a special guest of the United Nations Secretary-General.
In 1999, the novelist and playwright was appoint was one of the first seven United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors to raise awareness of World Conference against Racism in 2001, to take concrete steps to combat racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance.
Famous writer wrote Chronicles of the land of the happiest people on earth has since visited the United Nations Headquarters several times, including a memorable appearance at the 2012 culture of peace debate.
During that event, the online distribution of the film was anti-Muslim The innocence of Muslims sparked violent reactions around the world that have stood out as an example of extremism and intolerance.
Trying to stop ‘childish’ religious insults is futile
In that regard, Mr. Soyinka told ambassadors in advance that trying to stop “childish” religious insults from spreading through technology is futile, but that the same technology should be used to “educate the ignorant”.
The author, who also served on a panel on peace and intercultural dialogue with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, said: “Religious extremism is catching on. The world must redeem itself by using religion as an excuse for crimes against humanity.UNESCO).
Compares attacks on Islam at the time, which led to violent protests and deaths in several countries, to “the childish scribbles we encounter on our homes public toilets”, he urged people to ignore and “stay away from them” instead of answering “same”. However, childish reactions are inflammatory and murderous in nature and are largely directed against innocent people.”
A stern warning to world leaders
He also issued a stern warning to world leaders.
“The science fiction archetype of the mad scientist aspiring to world domination has been replaced by the mad cleric, who can only imagine the world in his own image,” the writer said.
“The sooner national leaders and authentic religious leaders understand this and admit that no nation is without its own dangerous lunatics – be they known as the Ansar Dine of Mali or Florida’s Terry Jones – the sooner they turn their attention to real human problems. priority.”
He concluded by saying that it would be “pathetic to demand what cannot be guaranteed,” i.e. absolute tolerance by all at all times.
“It is useless to dominate technology,” he said. “The solution is to use the same technology to correct toxic notions in the minds of perpetrators of abuse and educate the ignorant.”
Wole Soyinka (second right) participates in a high-level debate organized by UNESCO on the topic of contemporary challenges and approaches to building a lasting culture of peace.
Stories from the United Nations Archives series
Drawn from nearly 50,000 hours of historic footage and audio preserved by United Nations Audiovisual Libraryseries highlights moments from the United Nations’ first century of operations.
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Stay tuned next week for a deep dive into the past.
