Summary

The present information note seeks to provide users with guidance on a wide range of issues posed by hate speech and incitement to hatred in the context of elections. The note first seeks to provide guidance on differentiating between lawful speech, hate speech and incitement to hatred. It then examines issues of common targets of hate speech in the electoral context, mechanisms for addressing hate speech in the electoral context, the role of political leadership, the risks of regulating hate speech in the electoral context, and finally restrictions on the right to freedom of expression in the electoral context with regards to hate speech and incitement to hatred.