Coronavirus latest: UN warns of ‘tsunami of hate’; new Russia cases top 10,000 for sixth day; nightclub cluster in South Korea
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The UN chief 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”. Migrants and refugees “have been vilified as a source of the virus – and then denied access to medical treatment”, he said.
“With older persons among the most vulnerable, contemptible memes have emerged suggesting they are also the most expendable,” Guterres said. “And journalists, whistle-blowers, health professionals, aid workers and human rights defenders are being targeted simply for doing their jobs.”
Guterres called on political leaders to show solidarity with all people, on educational institutions to focus on digital literacy at a time when “extremists are seeking to prey on captive and potentially despairing audiences”.
He called on the media, especially social media, to “remove racist, misogynist and other harmful content”, on civil society to strengthen their outreach to vulnerable people, and on religious figures to serve as models of mutual respect. “And I ask everyone, everywhere, to stand up against hate, treat each other with dignity and take every opportunity to spread kindness,” Guterres said.
The secretary general stressed that Covid-19 “does not care who we are, where we live, what we believe or about any other distinction”.
Here are the developments: