Redux
Every journey circles home
The other day, at a café, a friendly lady, a candidate for the far-right ELAM party, approached us holding her cards, trying to promote her electoral chances in view of May's parliamentary elections in Cyprus. We politely declined, saying that we do not vote for ELAM. She persisted, smiling, suggesting that we pass them on to others we know who might vote for them. And then, I admit, somewhat without filter, I said: “I do not associate with anyone who votes for the far right.” My friend smiled and told her, to ease the tension, “We’ll spare you the trouble of wasting your cards”.
Unable to stay silent, I added through clenched teeth that our parents had suffered under the coup, that we have dead in our families, that we are refugees, and that our relatives risked everything for freedom and democracy. The lady looked offended, clearly surprised that I linked ELAM to dictatorship. Then my friend shot me a glance to quiet me and said: “Everyone is entitled to their opinion,” and everyone nodded in agreement. Everyone except me, of course.
The conversation ended, but my thoughts were racing. No! No, not everyone can have an opinion. At least not without taking responsibility for their words, which is a trait common to fanatics. Hate speech, targeting people because of their religion, race, gender, or political beliefs, is not merely an opinion. It is a threat. It is not something that can be spread as equal to responsible viewpoints, because it has consequences for society. My patience grows thinner as I get older and I no longer tolerate those who, sixty years on, still do not understand where extreme ideas led Cyprus.
An opinion is welcome when it does not promote violence, respects human rights, and is grounded in evidence. By contrast, hate speech, such as that promoted by ELAM, is not merely an opinion. It is a tool of exclusion and marginalisation. As the Council of Europe’s Hate Speech Report shows, it increases social division and incidents of violence. Anyone who supports ELAM should, at least, be aware that they are promoting violence.
Freedom of speech, as defined by the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 10), is not absolute. It allows critique and the expression of ideas, but it does not cover incitement to violence, exclusion, or the targeting of individuals. Democracy recognises the need to protect citizens from rhetoric that threatens them. On a personal level, this means that when we say “everyone is entitled to their opinion,” we cannot mean that spreading hate is equal to responsible views that include respect for others. An opinion must come with knowledge and awareness of its social consequences.
So again no! Hate speech is not opinion, it is a threat, and I feel a responsibility to my parents and grandparents who lost everything to ensure that my everyday life is not consumed by hatred or exclusion. My precious morning coffee is not negotiable.