The Core Issue: The shared sense of humanity that traditionally restrains violence during conflicts is rapidly eroding. Dehumanizing narratives strip people of their dignity and normalize brutality.

Key Facts & Figures:

• The Power of Narratives: Dehumanizing language is frequently spread by parties to conflicts and amplified by harmful information, online hate, and algorithmic echo chambers.

• Shifting Perceptions: Online rhetoric often spreads faster than humanitarian appeals, shaping how victims are perceived. Too often, civilians are no longer seen as human beings needing protection, but as potential threats.

• Real-World Consequences: This rhetoric translates directly to the battlefield and detention centers, causing civilians and detainees to be mistreated, demeaned, and denied their legal protections.

Why it Matters: Violence begins with the denial of humanity. Dehumanization is not just a moral crisis; it is a practical one that corrodes the fragile social fabric required to build peace and uphold humanitarian norms.