IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong, speaking at the UN headquarters in New York, emphasized that there is a growing trend of aggression towards elected officials.
“There is a significant number of cases of violence in the online space: between 65% and 70% of legislators in five countries reported instances of online abuse,” he added.
The study is based on surveys of numerous parliamentarians and detailed analyses conducted in countries such as Argentina, Benin, Italy, Malaysia, and the Netherlands.
The most common forms of pressure include insults, derogatory comments, the spread of false information, and threats.
The majority of survey participants expressed the opinion that the situation is getting worse. In Argentina and the Netherlands, up to 80% of lawmakers reported an increase in violence over the past five years.
“Online violence often intensifies during election periods, during heated parliamentary debates, or as polarizing political and cultural issues are discussed,” noted Martin Chungong.
The report also examines the gender aspects of this issue.
Women lawmakers are more likely to become victims of attacks: 76% of women and only 68% of men surveyed reported experiencing violence.
Martin Chungong warned of the serious threat this trend poses to democratic institutions.
Many surveyed parliamentarians reported that they have changed their behavior. “They have begun to practice self-censorship online and have become more cautious in their public statements,” he added.
This month, the IPU, based in Geneva, is holding its annual parliamentary hearings at the UN headquarters in New York. The event is expected to gather around 250 participants, including approximately 150 parliamentarians from around the world.
