By John Austin Unachukwu

Former Dean Faculty of Law, Nasarawa State University and Chief of Staff to Adamawa State Governor, Prof. Maxwell Gidado (SAN), has warned lawmakers not to violate Nigerians’ rights in their quest to curb hate speech, TheNation reports

Prof Gidado reminded the lawmakers that freedom of expression is protected under international law, with clear rights outlined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

He said Article 19 of the UDHR guarantees the right to freedom of expression in addressing the issue of hate speech bill presently being considered by the National Assembly.

He called for governments to establish sound legal frameworks on hate speech, which will hold perpetrators accountable, uphold human dignity, protect marginalized groups, while still balancing the right to freedom of expression.

Gidado stated this while speaking as a guest lecturer at the annual law week of the Yola branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) held in Yola Adamawa State.

Speaking on the theme of the law week: “Hate Speech Act 2019: Its Applicability or Otherwise” Prof. Gidado examined global perspectives of the subject matter and proferred solutions.

On the way forward he stated that the line between offensive and hate speech is often blurred.

According to him, proper hate speech which portends clear and imminent danger of triggering violence should be criminalised though certainly not with death penalty, non-legal instruments would be more effective in a polarized society like Nigeria to deal with offensive and other hurtful speech forms.

Prof Gidado said: “Media organizations through their unions should then be urged to incorporate these as part of the ethics of good journalistic practice and impose sanctions on erring members.

Perhaps one of the most effective ways of combating hate speech would be to marginalize purveyors of such speeches.

“In the U.K., while far right, fascist parties like the British National Party and the racist ideas they support are not banned, mainstream British politician avoid associating openly with members of such parties.

“In Nigeria, on the other hand, offensive and hate speech mongers are often seen as regional and ethnic heroes.

“Nigerians should also learn to laugh at themselves. This is already happening in some ways with the country’ s comedians who dish out jokes breaking down the lines of ethnic and regional profiling, showing that every ethnic group is both a victim and a victimizer.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) responsible for communicating government policy and promoting patriotism in concert with civil society groups and community leaders, should also embark on a campaign against the use of hate speech.

“ In the same vein, internet service providers should be encouraged to bring down blogs and websites they host which publish, promote, or provide unfettered space for the expression of hate and offensive speeches.

Put simply, more than just changing the law, it will take efforts from all sections of society government, media, business, community leaders, civil society, and more to curb the influence of hate speech in Nigeria.

Prof. Gidado concluded that: In a heterogeneous and polarized country like Nigeria, hate speech threatens the nation-building process by widening the social distance among Nigerians, cementing existing distrust and undermining national support.

Hate speech can also negatively affect the economy. While government authorities have the primary responsibility to prevent incitement and protect their people from atrocity crimes, it is up to everyone to stop hate speech and the violence it enables and encourages.

“Around the world, hate speech is on the rise, and the language of exclusion and marginalization has crept into media coverage, online platforms and national policies.

Hate speech weakens and destroys communities, sowing seeds of fear, hatred and distrust. There are many ways to counter and prevent hate speech” Prof. Gidado stated