Online Hate Speech Report: Duhok Land Rights Protests (July 2026)

Ettok: Youth-led Minority Rights Media-Hub is publishing this analytical report on the online hate speech that accompanied the July 2026 land rights protests in Duhok.

The report begins from a clear position: supporting the legitimate and constitutional right of citizens to protest peacefully and demand their rights is fully compatible with the categorical rejection of hate speech, incitement and dehumanisation, regardless of who produces such discourse or who is targeted by it.

The report examined a sample of Facebook content published following the protests of 6 July 2026. It identified 75 flagged incidents across six monitored posts. Of these, 57 incidents, representing 76 per cent of the total, were classified as critical or high-level hate speech.

The analysis identified several recurring patterns, including identity erasure, sectarian relabelling, coded incitement, references to historical violence, dehumanisation and rhetoric portraying rights-holders as guests who should remain silent and grateful.

The report does not claim to provide a comprehensive review of every platform or every discussion connected to the protests. Technical restrictions prevented full access to some content on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook video formats. The current monitoring system also has limitations in analysing audio content and text embedded within images.

The report calls on human rights institutions, security agencies, executive, legislative and judicial authorities, civil society organisations and community actors to take practical steps to protect peaceful protesters, document digital threats, strengthen legal accountability and develop responsible counter-narratives without resorting to retaliatory hate speech.

Addressing hate speech is not only about defending one community. It is about protecting human dignity, the rule of law, social cohesion and the right of every citizen to express legitimate demands without intimidation or fear.

Produced by Ettok: Youth-led Minority Rights Media-Hub

With the support and oversight of Sustainable Peace Foundation