CIVIL strongly condemns Apasiev’s hate speech and that of those like him

CIVIL most strongly condemns yesterday’s post made by Dimitar Apasiev with explicit hate speech and vulgarities on the social media directed at Radmila Sekerinska. This post is just another of the endless series of lies, slander, vulgarities, threats and hate speech towards individuals and groups of different communities, organizations and institutions.

Apasiev’s extremely inappropriate behaviour and that of those similar to him is directed at activists, journalists, experts, politicians and others, and with their inciting speech they encourage spreading of hatred on multiple grounds, which is contrary to the Criminal Code. The silence of the institutions and the indifference of the media and the public are beyond understanding. Apasiev and those like him, have been enjoying impunity for years, but that has to stop immediately!

Apasiev does not stop spreading hate speech, fascist messages, vulgarities and ultimate abuse of freedom of expression. With his behaviour, Apasiev is already causing serious doubts that he is unpredictable and cannot be controlled. Perhaps it is time to examine his legal capacity, especially since at the same time he is part of the teaching staff of the Stip University. It is enough! Apasiev’s behaviour and that of those like him is unacceptable and deserves all condemnations and sanctions.

CIVIL continuously warns that hate speech also encourages hate crimes, and recently has been even more actively following the deviant behaviour of certain individuals and groups in politics whose destructive activities are on the rise. In this case, it concerns one of the MPs in parliament!

Creators of contents and messages, instigators, distributors and supporters of hate speech have crossed all boundaries! This situation in the public can no longer be tolerated and go unpunished.

CIVIL demands from all relevant institutions, such as the MOI and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, to urgently act in accordance to the legal obligations in order to prevent and sanction this occurrence that is increasingly more gaining momentum. The teaching council at the Goce Delcev University in Stip and the Ministry of Education are also called on to act accordingly to their competencies.

CIVIL calls on the public, all aware and conscientious citizens to reject and condemn hate speech and calls for violence in the media, social networks and public appearances.