Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law 52 (2020)
Crime as Cognitive Constraint
prohibited and punished. 117 In this section, I will map out the relevant
framework for prohibited speech under international law. First, I will
briefly describe the content of prohibited speech, i.e., the different types
of speech that may be restricted under international human rights law
and punished under international criminal law. Second, I will delineate
the legal responsibility of various actors, i.e., states and natural persons,
for the crime of direct and public incitement to commit genocide. In
light of the FFM’s recommendation to investigate potential commission
of genocide in Myanmar 118 and the legal proceedings instituted by The
Gambia at the ICJ concerning Myanmar’s alleged violation of the
Genocide Convention, 119 it is not farfetched to apply the legal
framework for direct and public incitement to commit genocide to this
issue. My discussion henceforth will be grounded by the applicable
framework for this form of prohibited speech. Importantly, incitement
to genocide has the clearest international legal framework with
relatively the most developed judicial precedent. 120 It thus presents the
strongest framework for informing the corporate responsibility to
“respect” human rights under the UNGPs. I will then examine the
degree of guidance that corporations can glean from this framework.
Finally, I will illustrate how the Facebook issue in Myanmar leaves
open a gap for corporate responsibility for incitement to genocide caused
by these fragmented lines of responsibility.
A.
Prohibited speech under international law
1.
International human rights law
Limitations on speech must conform to the requirements of Article
19(3) of the ICCPR on legality, necessity, and proportionality, i.e., the
limitation must be contained in a validly enacted law; must be
necessary to achieve a legitimate aim, such as (a) respecting the rights
or reputations of others or (b) protecting national security, public order,
or public health or morals; and the means used proportionate to
securing that aim. 121 Article 20 of the ICCPR prohibits two types of
speech: 1) any propaganda for war and 2) any advocacy of national,
racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination,
hostility or violence.” State parties to the ICCPR must regulate, not
necessarily penalize, these forms of expression. 122 Under the Rabat Plan
of Action on the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious
117. Detailed Findings of the FFM, supra note 7, ¶¶ 1310, 1319
118. Id. ¶¶ 1439-1441.
119. See supra note 18 and accompanying text.
120. See infra Part 2.
121. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights art. 19(3), Dec. 16,
1966, 999 U.N.T.S. 171.
122. See id.
164