In a landmark initiative to confront the rising tide of intolerance and hate speech globally, The HR30 Forum and The Tirana Framework and Platform have unveiled the Tirana Framework for Confronting Intolerance . This document emerged from the inaugural HR30 conference, Empower Talk! , held in January 2025 in Tirana, Albania. It represents a collective effort by policymakers, civil society leaders, scholars, educators, legal experts, and technological innovators to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the spread of hate speech and its impact on democratic norms and human rights.
The Growing Threat of Hate Speech
The Tirana Framework begins with a sobering assessment of the current global landscape. Hate speech, fueled by entrenched biases, misinformation, and divisive rhetoric, poses a significant threat to decades of progress in safeguarding human dignity, protecting human rights, and upholding democratic principles. Anti-rights movements have gained momentum worldwide, exploiting fears about identity, culture, and security to dehumanize marginalized communities. By framing certain groups as “others” or casting human rights issues as threats, these movements distract from complex societal challenges and reduce them to oversimplified narratives that justify discrimination and authoritarian agendas.
This dangerous rhetoric not only deepens societal divides but also undermines trust in democratic institutions, paving the way for authoritarianism and jeopardizing freedoms for all. As noted in the framework, hate speech silences marginalized voices, exacerbates polarization, and erodes social cohesion—issues that require urgent and thoughtful responses grounded in international human rights standards.
Key Goals of the Tirana Framework
The Tirana Framework outlines five key goals designed to mitigate hate speech while safeguarding freedom of expression:
Adopting a Human-Rights-Centered Approach : Efforts to combat hate speech must adhere to international human rights standards. Policymakers, private organizations, and civil society must work together to ensure that interventions protect free expression while prioritizing the rights of those most affected.
Understanding the Costs of Hate Speech : Stakeholders are urged to assess and highlight the far-reaching impacts of hate speech on fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, equality before the law, and civic participation. Intersectional analyses will help measure the full scope of harm caused by hate speech.
Investing in Research and Proven Solutions : Resources should be allocated to scaling research into effective interventions addressing hate speech and its root causes, such as systemic discrimination, economic inequality, and historical legacies of exclusion. Education programs, legal reforms, and institutional changes can play critical roles in this process.
Tackling Structural Inequities and Promoting Belonging : Combatting hate speech requires addressing broader societal inequalities. Fostering a sense of belonging through policies that promote inclusivity and equity is essential to countering the narratives of division.
Challenging Hate with Targeted Efforts : Governments, civil society, and other sectors must unite to identify, challenge, and reduce the spread of hate directed at individuals or groups based on their identity. Specific attention is given to combating antisemitism, Islamophobia, prejudice against Christian minorities, xenophobia, racism, sexism, and other forms of discriminatory intolerance.
Recommended Actions
To achieve these goals, the Tirana Framework proposes several actionable steps for governments, private sector actors, and civil society organizations:
Demonstrating Political Commitment : Active political engagement is crucial. Governments are encouraged to implement existing frameworks like UN Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18, the Rabat Plan of Action, and the UN Strategy and Action Plan on Hate Speech. Local authorities must champion these efforts at the grassroots level.
Building Multi-Sector Alliances : Collaboration across sectors—including public officials, multilateral bodies, community leaders, corporations, media organizations, and civic groups—is vital to reducing hate and promoting inclusion.
Enhancing Monitoring and Reporting Systems : Effective systems must document the immediate and long-term consequences of hate speech on victims and communities, tracking its effects on democratic engagement, free expression, and social cohesion.
Expanding Research and Education Efforts : Investment in research is needed to determine which tools and responses are most effective in addressing hate speech. Educational initiatives, counter-speech strategies, emerging technologies, and legal mechanisms should all be assessed within existing frameworks like the Beirut Declaration on Faith for Rights.
Supporting Victims and Advocating for Accountability : Accessible reporting systems, protection for victims, and meaningful accountability for perpetrators are essential components of any comprehensive strategy against hate speech.
Increasing Accountability of Technology Platforms : Social media companies must establish transparent mechanisms to identify and address hate speech while respecting free expression. User-friendly reporting tools, clear content moderation policies, and ethical AI systems are necessary to balance safety and freedom online.
Taking a Proactive Stand Against Hate : States should develop national action plans in consultation with stakeholders, appoint dedicated coordinators, and ensure consistent funding to reduce systemic hate.
A Call for Long-Term Commitment
The Tirana Framework emphasizes the importance of sustained collaboration and capacity-building for grassroots organizations and communities. Providing resources, training, and platforms for dialogue enables local groups to challenge harmful narratives, promote inclusivity, and build resilient, cohesive communities rooted in mutual respect and equality. Establishing a global network to share knowledge, provide training, and engage in collaborative actions will further strengthen these efforts.
By focusing on inclusive leadership and coordinated strategies, the Tirana Framework seeks to protect marginalized groups, strengthen social cohesion, and counter the divisive impacts of hate speech on a global scale. Its publication today by The HR30 Forum and The Tirana Framework and Platform marks an important milestone in the fight against intolerance and a reaffirmation of the universal values of human rights and dignity.
The Tirana Framework serves as both a symbol and a tool for uniting diverse stakeholders under a shared vision of equality, mutual respect, and societal harmony. As we navigate an increasingly polarized world, it offers a roadmap for constructive approaches to address the root causes of discrimination and foster inclusive progress. Through collective action and unwavering commitment, we can create societies where freedom of expression strengthens democracy rather than undermining it—a future where every voice is heard, respected, and valued.
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