Under the high patronage of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, the new International Committee brings together over 200 leaders from 52 countries to counter divisive rhetoric through ethical tools, innovative programs, and interfaith cooperation.
Under the patronage of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), the International Committee on Countering Extremist and Hate Speech (ICCEHS) officially launched its operations in a high-level virtual ceremony held via Zoom. The launch was supported by over 200 influential personalities from 52 countries, including approximately 20 legislators, reflecting a broad global consensus on the need to counter hate and extremist speech through dialogue and cooperation. The event presented by Julie Fidalgo drew a total of around 400 participants from more than 62 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Ethiopia, Tanzania, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Egypt, Syria, Jamaica, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Morocco, Lebanon, Togo, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Germany, and Sweden. Diplomats, parliamentarians, ministers, scholars, and civil society leaders all joined to show support for the new international body.
Dr. Nidal Shoukeir, Executive Board Director of ICCEHS, opened the ceremony by emphasizing the alarming rise in hate speech and extremist narratives globally, warning that these threats transcend borders and digital platforms. “We are witnessing conflicts rooted in toxic narratives and inflammatory rhetoric. At ICCEHS, we are committed to tackling the source—not just the symptoms—of these threats.”
Dr. Shoukeir outlined the Committee’s “Golden Triangle” philosophy, based on tolerance, dialogue, and peace, stressing: “This committee is more than a structure; it is a global call to action. Together, we can build a future where hate does not divide us—and where dialogue, dignity, and responsibility bring us closer together.” He also detailed ICCEHS’s three flagship programs: the International Communication Pact, the Abrahamic Coexistence Program, and the AI Ethical Standards Initiative. “Our work is not just reactive; it is preventive, constructive, and fundamentally human,” he concluded.
Hon. Gennaro Migliore, Advisory Board Director of ICCEHS, reaffirmed the moral and civilizational purpose of the Committee’s establishment. “We are here to say no to hatred, no to discrimination, and no to extremism,” he declared. He warned of the dangerous amplification of inflammatory rhetoric in today’s digital world. “A tweet can spark a fire, and a speech can become the fuse for violence or recruitment into terrorism. This Committee exists to disarm words before armed words harm people.”
H.E. Ambassador Sergio Piazzi, Secretary General of PAM, called for stronger partnerships between governments and technology platforms. “Major digital platforms refuse to verify sensitive content. We need global rules established through strategic public-private partnerships,” he said. He also announced that PAM is finalizing a peer-reviewed report titled “Resilience of Democratic Systems in Relation to the Misuse of AI and Emerging Technologies,” aligning with the UN’s new Pact for the Future.
H.E. Nancy Khedouri, Member of Bahrain’s Shura Council, hailed the launch as a noble mission in today’s world, stressing the importance of raising awareness around peaceful coexistence and intercultural dialogue. “Educating others about the dangers of hate speech and addressing the root causes of radicalization is essential for building lasting peace,” she said. Hon. Nassor Mazrui, Minister of Health of Zanzibar, voiced strong support, reminding attendees of the long-lasting impact of spoken words. “Once a speech goes out, you can’t take it back. So we must choose words that create love, not hate,” he urged. He called upon public figures to act with moral clarity and promote messages that foster unity.
H.E. Dr. Ceyhun Məmmədov, Member of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, stressed the importance of peaceful discourse as a shared global responsibility. “No matter where we live, we must contribute to building peace. We all live on the same ship—our planet Earth,” he said, appealing for collective action against division. Senator Adrien Akouete from Togo highlighted the centrality of faith-based dialogue in combating extremism. “There is only one God who governs the world, and this God is a God of love. Our fight must contribute to eradicating extremism and promoting social cohesion,” he stated. H.E. Dr. Salim Al Sayegh, Lebanese Member of Parliament, spoke about the ethical dimension of language in public life. “Words can build bridges or burn them. Dialogue must become a way of life. As leaders, we must protect the dignity of others and reject inflammatory rhetoric,” he emphasized.
Prof. Stefan Schennach, Member of Parliament from Austria, expressed concern over misinformation and hate speech online. “Fake news and hate are dividing societies. What ICCEHS is doing to fight this is extremely important,” he noted, referencing the manipulation of public narratives in conflict zones like Gaza and Ukraine. Mr. Kamal Lahbib, Executive Secretary of the Forum of Alternatives in Morocco, highlighted the role of civil society in combating hate. “It is our duty to open doors to dialogue and develop democratic tools to counter extremist ideologies,” he said, calling for inclusive engagement and governmental cooperation. Mr. Kwame McPherson, award-winning Jamaican author and 2023 Commonwealth Short Story Prize laureate, reflected on the moral power of language. “Words are not just ink on paper or pixels on a screen—they are choices with consequences. Let’s write not just with skill, but with conscience,” he said, underscoring the impact of narrative framing in literature and media.
Hon. Mohammed Al-Arusi, Member of Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives, warned of the “war of words” threatening global harmony. “The remedy lies in promoting peace messages, tolerance, and humanity as our common language,” he stated, urging a return to compassionate, inclusive speech.
About ICCEHS
The International Committee on Countering Extremist and Hate Speech (ICCEHS) is a newly established international body headquartered in Rome. It is dedicated to promoting tolerance, fostering intercultural dialogue, and advancing global peace through innovative programs, interfaith cooperation, and ethical communication frameworks. Launched with the support of over 200 influential personalities from 52 countries, ICCEHS works to prevent hate and extremism by addressing root causes, engaging diverse actors, and building a culture of respect and inclusion.
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