PL MEP Miriam Dalli said that people must distinguish between freedom of expression and hate speech because "words do matter".

"While the former encourages further dialogue, the latter only serves to incite violence, she said during her speech in today's Plenary Session of the European Parliament. 

The issue of hate speech was proposed for discussion by the Socialists and Democrats.

Dr Dalli remarked that while freedom of expression is recognised as a fundamental and supreme right, this does not entail it is an infinite right.

She argued that free speech stops being a right when it leads to the destruction of a person.

"It stops being a fundamental right the moment it targets young trans and gay people and leads them to suicide. It stops being a fundamental right when domestic violence becomes the subject of a joke. It stops being a right when incitement and hatred spurs people to kill others due to their political belief," Dr Dalli said.

The Maltese MEP added that one could not remain indifferent to intollerance and hate speech, as that "would be the moment when people will stop caring and hatred becomes the order of the day."

As the leading S&D spokesperson for the implementation report against child abuse and online child exploitation, Dalli noted there was still a long way to go.

"Hate speech and cyberbullying are leading youths and minors to self-harm and low self-esteem, while certain cases may also lead to suicide and mental health problems. To combat hate speech, governments, civil society and the internet industry need to work together to educate, raise awareness, protect victims and make sure that perpetrators are penalised."

In the coming weeks, Miriam Dalli will be presenting amendments and proposals on how the EU can address in an effective way this issue.