The spread of Covid-19 has created waves of fear, uncertainty, and anxiety across the globe – and this has led to an increase in hate speech. Addressing this problem, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres said “anti-foreigner sentiment has surged online and in the streets. Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories have spread and Covid-19 related anti-Muslim attacks have occurred".

Governments have failed to acknowledge that racism is being spread on social media platforms, in media reports and via the statements of politicians. Many have used this pandemic as an opportunity to further entrench repressive measures and take advantage of their powers to catalyse hate speech.

WHAT CONSTITUTES HATE SPEECH? 

Broadly, hate speech is speech which attacks others on the basis of their race, nationality, religious identity or other group membership. However, Article 10 of the ECHR states that “everyone has the right to freedom of expression”, which includes the right to hold opinions. This right protects statements that some may find deeply offensive. It also protects discriminatory expression so long as it does not encourage racial or religious hatred.

This article will examine how the pandemic has caused a rise in hate speech in the UK, the US and Asia, and will show that this has led to an influx of hate crimes and division at a time when solidarity and compassion are needed most.  

THE UNITED KINGDOM

With the virus originating in Wuhan, China, Chinese and East Asian communities have suffered from racially motivated hate crimes. AI-based start-up ‘L1ght’ recorded a 900% increase in hate speech directed towards Chinese people. One NHS nurse, Reizel Quaichon, experienced a hate crime where she was pushed and elbowed in the rib on her way to work a night shift. 

This hate is being advanced through social media and its consequences are especially severe when it is propagated by political leaders, public officials and other influencers. This can be exemplified by the comments of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who referred to veiled Muslim women as “letterboxes”, thereby provoking religious hatred. Since then, Islamophobic incidents have risen by 375%, and 42% of off-line incidents directly referenced Johnson’s comments.

Currently, Muslims are being scapegoated, due to fake news stories claiming that they caused the virus and are breaking lockdown rules. Katie Hopkins, Tommy Robinson, and UKIP leader Gerard Batten are just some of the people sharing these racist allegations, which are then used to justify attacks. One woman reported an incident where a man coughed in her face and swore, claiming he had coronavirus. Likewise, similar incidents have happened to Jews and other minorities.

THE UNITED STATES

Racial tensions have intensified in America for a number of reasons. Firstly, President Donald Trump has spread hate speech on social media. During a White House press briefing, Trump referred to the virus as ‘the Chinese virus’ multiple times. This demonstrates a common pattern in his xenophobic rhetoric. This has led to attacks and to the ostracization of Chinese Americans. Many have been spat and yelled at and denied entry into shops. However, Trump later specified that his comments were “not racist at all. It’s from China.” Whatever his intentions, the expression is problematic as it associates the virus with ethnicity. Hate speech has also been “trending” on social media, via hashtags such as ‘#Wuhanvirus’ and ‘#chinaliedpeopledied’. Concerningly, as people are spending more time online during lockdown, hate speech is now even more accessible.

The African-American community has also been targeted by hate speech sprouted by the President and other officials. A police officer in Kaplan stated on social media that “it was unfortunate that more black people don’t die from Covid-19". The US has continued with its usual methods of police brutality, targeting black neighbourhoods and “unleashing overly aggressive policing in the name of social distancing". This brutality and racism ultimately led to the killing of George Floyd, and the recent wave of Black Lives Matter protests. George’s Floyd’s murder was the result of a racist culture, exacerbated by the hate speech of America’s leaders. In referring to the protesters as “thugs", Trump further demonised minority groups. 

ASIA

Hate speech has also been extremely prominent in India. Authorities announced that there were more Covid-19 cases among Muslims who had attended a mass religious gathering in Delhi. Political parties then branded this as “CoronaTerrorism”, stoking anti-Muslim sentiment. Politicians have used the virus to fan the flames of hate towards Muslims. They have incited violence in their speeches and labelled them as “termites”, vowing to “throw them in a Bay”. Twitter has been swamped with Islamophobic hashtags such as “#CoronaJihad”. As a result, Muslims are being denied healthcare and businesses are being boycotted, at a time when healthcare and money are crucial for survival. 

The implications of Covid-19-related hate speech are severe. It makes those targeted more vulnerable to violence, exposes them to political and social exclusion, inhibits them from expressing themselves, and prevents them from accessing medical care and other necessary services. It has heightened the disproportionate effect of coronavirus on certain communities and has aggravated social and economic inequalities and violent extremism. These effects can be seen across the globe, and although there have been displays of solidarity and charity, hate speech has become a deadly pandemic of its own.

Amina is a law graduate from the University of Leicester. She aims to become a Solicitor specialising in Human Rights Law and to advocate for justice for those in vulnerable situations.

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