A Chilling Circular

The state must not be given any chance to regulate the people's right to the freedom of opinion and expression. These are guaranteed in full by the constitution. So if it must be issued, the National Police circular on hate speech signed on October 8 should be guided by the main principles of democracy.

National Police Chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti stressed that the circular was aimed at clarifying the difference between hate speech and freedom of expression. Hate speech is defined as all actions aimed at public disruption, incitement or violence. If this is the real intention, the proposal is commendable. The limits are clear. The state must apply zero tolerance to hate speech, as is the case in other countries.