4 June 2024
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) is concerned by the reports in recent weeks of harassment and violence targeting local and European election candidates, canvassers and workers.
The right to participate in the democratic process and to freely exchange ideas and information is a fundamental human right. Actions which seek to prevent this are an attack on the entire democratic system and unjustly limit people’s freedom of expression, association and assembly. Harassment and assault, which we have seen in recent weeks and months, have no place in a democracy.
It should be acknowledged that some candidates, canvassers and election workers have been specifically targeted because of their gender, race, sexuality and other personal characteristics. This type of discriminatory harassment seeking to silence particular individuals or groups of people cannot be tolerated. It sends a message that some people in Irish society are free to exercise their fundamental democratic rights more than others.
Much of the hostility and aggression we have witnessed has been fuelled by disinformation. In May, EU-related disinformation reached its highest level since the European Digital Media Observatory began monitoring it1. In 2020, Meta switched off algorithms for the US presidential election. It is disappointing that no such measure has been taken by the digital platforms for Europe’s elections. Nor have regulatory authorities ordered them to do so.
There are now also reportedly concerns within An Garda Síochána about the security and safety of election count and polling centres ahead of Friday’s vote. The democratic process must be protected.
If left unchallenged, the combination of disinformation, harassment and intimidation has the potential to escalate even further, with potentially tragic consequences. ICCL believes that action must be taken to ensure that all candidates, canvassers and people involved in the electoral process are allowed to carry out their work without intimidation, threats or violence, now and in all future elections in Ireland.
With this in mind, and looking ahead to future elections in Ireland, we call for;
- The rejection by all political parties and representatives of inflammatory political rhetoric and associated violence, including discriminatory violence.
- Concrete steps to be taken by political parties and groups to guarantee the security and safety of their candidates, canvassers and workers.
- An Garda Síochána to thoroughly investigate threats and attacks, both in person and online, targeting people involved in elections.
- Social media platforms to investigate and remove harassment and threats of violence made against individuals and parties who are involved in the electoral process.
- Organisations with responsibility for halting the spread of disinformation to be equipped with the necessary powers to carry out their functions, namely;
a. The Data Protection Commission and Coimisiún na Meán should ensure that vulnerable people are not nudged toward hate by digital platforms’ recommender systems.
b. The Electoral Commission should be equipped with robust legislation to tackle disinformation which is compliant with EU law and also respects freedom of expression.
ENDS/
For media queries: ruth.mccourt@iccl.ie/taragrace.connolly@iccl.ie/ 087 415 7162
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