Rights watchdog chief voices caution against hate speech during election campaigns

SEOUL, The chief of the National Human Rights Commission on Wednesday urged each party and candidate to refrain from hate speech ahead of the April 10 parliamentary elections. Song Doo-hwan, chairman of the commission, said in a statement that state institutions, such as the National Election Commission, should declare their commitment to responding sternly to acts that publicly slight or insult a candidate based on their hometown or sex. "Hate speech during the election campaign period should be monitored and rectified to make sure no rights or freedom of social minorities are violated," Song said. Song also called on each party and candidate to refrain from expressions that strengthen the prejudice and stereotypes of social minorities. Though some parties are making efforts to end politics of hatred by reflecting candidates' history of hate speech in the nomination process, Song said some politicians could still use hatred and discrimination as a campaign tool. Song also asked the press to refrain fro m excessively reporting on cases of hate speech. Source: Yonhap News Agency