The DeFacto Dialogue Platform, in partnership with Naseej, Local Administration Councils Unit (LACU), Hooz Center for Social Development, and the Dar Association for Victims of Forced Displacement, held on Wednesday a roundtable discussion in Damascus titled “Countering Hate Speech in Syria.”
The session brought together local civil society activists to raise awareness about the dangers of hate speech, share experiences and strategies to confront it, and propose community-based initiatives that promote respectful and inclusive public discourse.
Three expert panelists led the discussion: Dima al-Mousa, a lawyer and transitional justice expert, Shireen Ibrahim, journalist and director of the Dar Association, and Anas al-Rawi, legal expert, executive director of Hooz Center, and board member of the Wasel Network.
The session focused on four core themes:
- The Role of Syrian Civil Society: Exploring opportunities and challenges in mobilizing civil society to confront hate speech and promote tolerance.
- Media Responsibility and Government Accountability: Examining the legal and institutional responsibilities of the Syrian government—particularly the Ministry of Information—in addressing hate speech, and the potential for media to play a constructive role.
- Legal and Constitutional Frameworks: Discussing how constitutional provisions and the judiciary can be leveraged to combat hate speech, while acknowledging existing legal limitations.
- Gendered Hate Speech: Highlighting the specific impact of hate speech directed at women and how it undermines female participation in public and political life.
The event concluded with a set of actionable recommendations aimed at curbing hate speech in Syria and fostering social cohesion, national reconciliation, and an inclusive environment that respects fundamental rights and freedoms.
The DeFacto Platform continues to facilitate dialogue forums that bring together local and international stakeholders across media, culture, and politics to promote a culture of dialogue and support practical initiatives for positive change within Syrian society.
