IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong emphasized the rise in aggression towards elected officials in his speech at the UN headquarters in New York. The report titled "When Society Becomes Hostile: Political Violence Against Parliamentarians" highlights the increasing number of cases of intimidation and harassment of parliamentarians by citizens.
Most of the violence occurs online: between 65% and 70% of parliamentarians in five countries reported instances of online abuse.The study is based on a survey of hundreds of parliamentarians and in-depth analysis in countries such as Argentina, Benin, Italy, Malaysia, and the Netherlands.
Most respondents believe that the situation is worsening. In Argentina and the Netherlands, up to 80% of parliamentarians noted an increase in violence over the past five years.
Chungong noted that "online violence often arises in the context of elections, heated parliamentary debates, or polarizing political and cultural issues."
The report also highlights the gender aspect of the problem, showing that women parliamentarians are more frequently targeted: 76% of female parliamentarians in the surveyed countries and 68% of men reported instances of violence.
Chungong warned that this trend poses a serious threat to democratic institutions. "This phenomenon can negatively impact democracy," he noted, adding that the rise in hostility from society has "serious consequences not only for the safety and well-being of the legislators themselves but also for the functioning of parliaments and the level of democratic debate."
Many parliamentarians who participated in the survey reported that they have changed their behavior.
"They have started to resort to self-censorship online and have become more cautious in their public statements," added the IPU Secretary-General.The image on the homepage is an illustration: UN.
