IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong, speaking at an event at the UN headquarters in New York, noted the alarming rise in hostility towards elected representatives.
“Violence often manifests online: between 65 to 70% of lawmakers in five countries report instances of online abuse,” he emphasized.
The study is based on surveys of hundreds of parliamentarians and in-depth analyses conducted in countries such as Argentina, Benin, Italy, Malaysia, and the Netherlands.
The most common forms of pressure include insults, derogatory comments, as well as the spread of false information and threats.
The majority of respondents noted that the situation is worsening. In Argentina and the Netherlands, up to 80% of lawmakers reported an increase in instances of violence over the past five years.
“Online violence often intensifies during elections, during heated parliamentary debates, or in connection with polarizing political and cultural issues,” Chungong added.
The report also highlights the gender aspects of the problem.
Female lawmakers are more likely to become victims of attacks: 76% of women and 68% of men who participated in the surveys reported instances of violence.
Martin Chungong expressed concerns that this trend poses a serious threat to democratic processes.
Many lawmakers stated that they have changed their behavior: “They have started to practice self-censorship online and have become more cautious in public statements,” he noted.
The IPU, headquartered in Geneva, is holding its annual parliamentary hearings this week at the UN headquarters in New York in collaboration with the office of the President of the General Assembly. About 250 participants are expected, including approximately 150 parliamentarians from around the world.
