Speakers of parliament urge steps to protect MPs against violence

During an event on the margins of the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament taking place in Dublin, participants heard personal testimony of verbal abuse and harassment – both online and offline – as well as intimidation, physical attacks and threats of serious violence on elected representatives.

Topics discussed at the event, moderated by Irish journalist and broadcaster Flor MacCarthy, included how to increase security for MPs, measures to reduce online hate speech against elected representatives, promoting greater civility in public discourse and responsibility of the media, in particular social media, and the need for political opponents to maintain mutual respect and understanding, even in polarised environments. There was general agreement on the need for solidarity, policy and legal measures to be in place and ensure that perpetrators of hate speech and violence against elected representatives are held accountable. 

Kathleen Funchion, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, introduced the event, and highlighted the recent increase in hate and threats against MPs in many European countries.

Nóirin O’Sullivan, a former Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, Ireland’s police and security service, and former UN Assistant General Secretary for Safety and Security, said hate speech was a centuries-old problem which was now spreading faster and further due to digitalisation and the rise of populism. It was “not only an affront to democracy but to a safe and inclusive society, where individual citizens can fully participate and engage in spirited debate, even on issues of fundamental disagreement, in a spirit of constructive civil discourse”.

Hannah Phillips, Research and Policy Manager at the Jo Cox Foundation – named after the late British MP– outlined  the work of the “Jo Cox Civility Commission”, which aims to make practical recommendations on the problem of abuse and intimidation of elected representatives at all levels across the UK. Evidence indicates that abuse had become worse in recent years, and “normalised” for elected representatives and their staff, she pointed out. This “threatens democracy”, she said, citing evidence that it was a factor in preventing individuals from standing for public office. The solution was not merely greater security, but a culture change involving many different actors and cross-cutting policies.

Carola Gunnarsson, United Cities and Local Government Special Envoy for Freedom, Solidarity and fighting violence against local political leaders, cited her meeting with a UN Woman politician who calmly explained that “she might not be alive by the autumn” since the summer was the most dangerous time for elected representatives in her country. Even local politicians, whose closeness to citizens was a democratic strength, could face particular challenges since they risked encountering hatred and threats “at the supermarket or at their children’s football match”. Preventing hatred against politicians was essential to safeguard our democracies, she concluded.

In a wide-ranging discussion, participants were encouraged to continue the conversation, to "put their thinking caps on" to come up with solutions to these problems, while respecting freedom of expression, so that parliamentarians, elected representative and aspiring politicians are able to carry out their work safely and securely and contribute to democratic processes.