Coronavirus has unleashed ‘tsunami of hate and xenophobia’ across the world, says UN chief

'We have a duty to protect people, end stigma and prevent violence,' Antonio Guterres says

The coronavirus pandemic has brought on a “tsunami of hate and xenophobia” internationally, according to the United Nations secretary general.

Antonio Guterres said anti-foreigner sentiment has been on the rise as Covid-19 has spread around the globe.

“We must act now to strengthen the immunity of our societies against the virus of hate,” he said.

The pandemic has seen antisemitic conspiracy theories spread and Islamophobic attacks linked to the virus take place, the UN chief explained.

Migrants and refugees “have been vilified as a source of the virus — and then denied access to medical treatment”, he said.

In a global appeal to end hate speech, he said: “Covid-19 does not care who we are, where we live, or what we believe.

“Yet the pandemic continues to unleash a tsunami of hate and xenophobia, scapegoating and scaremongering.”

In the UK, figures have shown a surge in the number of hate crimes against Chinese people over the course of the outbreak.

People of Chinese and east Asian descent have been physically and verbally abused in public with attackers mentioning Covid-19, a flu-like virus whose first cases were recorded in China towards the end of last year.

A recent report has also warned “dangerous” conspiracy theories accusing Muslims of spreading the virus by ignoring lockdown measures could lead to an increase in Islamophobic attacks.

“As we combat the pandemic, we have a duty to protect people, end stigma and prevent violence,” the UN secretary general said in his appeal.

He called on political leaders to show solidarity with all people to help combat hate speech, and said the media – especially social media – should “remove racist, misogynist and other harmful content”.

He called 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,” Mr Guterres added.

His global appeal to address and counter Covid-19-related hate speech followed his message on 23 April calling the coronavirus pandemic “a human crisis that is fast becoming a human rights crisis”.

According to Guterres, the pandemic had caused “disproportionate effects on certain communities, the rise of hate speech, the targeting of vulnerable groups, and the risks of heavy-handed security responses undermining the health response”.

More than 3.8 million people have been infected with coronavirus in the world to date, according to a Reuters global count.

Meanwhile, the death toll stood at 268,590 on Friday.

Additional reporting by Associated Press