Dua Lipa, a singer and celebrity with a global following, has used her platforms to promote racist symbols and hate speech that incite aggression and ultra-nationalistic agendas against ethnic and minority groups.

Her publicity of these racist symbols and hateful speech have reached over 48 million followers on social media, encouraging extremists not only in the Balkan region, but around the world. Dua Lipa has promoted the following:

-          Promoting Extremist Flag of Greater Albania:

o   The ultra-nationalist insignia of Greater Albania is an extremely dangerous provocation for violence and further instability in a region that has been marred by conflict for the past 3 decades. This map, and Dua Lipa’s caption, promote the idea that certain regions in the Balkans (Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro) should be occupied by Greater Albania extremists and be part of a grander Albania state. Her caption also implies that other ethnic and racial groups (non-Albanians) are not native inhabitants of this extended area, which is not only factually incorrect but extremely racist and nationalistic.

o   This graphic symbol can be likened to a Nazi Flag with a calling for its supporters to uphold the ideas of ethnic cleaning and racial intolerance. Furthermore, the concept of a Greater Albania (greater than Albania within its 1913 borders) was implemented only under the Italian and Nazi German occupation of the Balkans during World War II. Dua Lipa’s promotion of this regional threat perpetuates violent extremism and encourages radical terrorist groups to ethnically and racially cleanse in their mission for a Greater Albania.

-          Encouraging Nationalism and Extremism through Political Campaigns:

o   Dua Lipa has campaigned on social media for Apple and Google to redraw international borders in the Balkan, by posting images on how she believes their global maps should look. She is explicitly aligning herself with Albanian ethno-nationalist groups that advocate for the annexation of several countries and territories, including Kosovo, thereby encouraging radical groups and oppressive agendas.

o   In addition, Dua Lipa is promoting the violation of UN Charters and the breach of UN Resolution 1244. This resolution was created to resolve the serious humanitarian situation in Yugoslavia in the 1990s and to ensure that all refugees could safely return to their homes. It condemned violence against the civilian population as well as acts of terrorism – and Dua Lipa’s calls to redraw borders that breach this resolution are in direct contradiction to human rights.

o   Dua Lipa’s posts regarding this matter further encourage Albanian nationalists, not only in Kosovo & Metohija, but in the entire Balkan region and the world. These claims give credibility to, and perpetuate, the existing culture of violent extremism and attacks on racial and ethnic groups living in these areas.

There are at least 100,000 non-Albanian people living in enclaves in Kosovo, where they live with a daily fear for their lives. Schools, churches, and homes are guarded by KFOR soldiers to protect them from constant attacks by extremists and terrorists. In March of 2004, over the period of a couple of days, thousands of minorities were attacked and forced to flee from their burning homes and more than 30 UNESCO-protected sites were completely destroyed or damaged.

While she has a right to free speech, Dua Lipa does not have a right to dehumanize ethnic and minority groups. These messages are not only gestures of radicalization and extremism on social media; they directly inflame tensions and are a dangerous provocation in an already tense situation. Dua Lipa’s actions and words promote the continuation of racism and hate, and incite violence and aggression towards specific ethnic and racial groups in an extremely volatile region.

We, the undersigned, demand the end of racism, hate speech, and promotion of violence and aggression from Dua Lipa and all of her supporting sponsors and relevant partners. To this effect, we demand the following:

1.      A formal and public apology made by Dua Lipa concerning her statements, graphic images, and promotion of hate speech and racism. 

2.      The removal of any and all images and words on her social media platforms and in her public promotion of these ideas.

In addition, we demand from Dua Lipa’s corporate sponsors and promotional partners the following:

1.      The removal of all audio, video, and image material associated with Dua Lipa from music platforms including Apple, Google, and Spotify.

2.      Instagram and Facebook: immediate removal of these racist and hateful images and words from Dua Lipa’s platforms. In accordance with their recent public stances and messages like, “We stand against racism in all its forms,” this should be a swift and straightforward process.

3.      The cessation of Dua Lipa’s sponsorships and marketing partners. We call for these sponsors and affiliates to publicly recuse themselves from support and association with Dua Lipa, as her promotion of racism and hate speech/symbols further perpetuate systemic racism and violence around the world.

This includes the following brand affiliations and organizations, which could be extended:

-          UNICEF

-          Adidas

-          Chanel

-          Yves Saint Laurent

-          Apple

-          Spotify

-          Twitter

-          Pepe Jeans

-          Vogue

-          Madonna

-          Jaguar

-          Foot Locker

-          Warner Records, Inc.

-          Vertigo Records

-          H&M

-          Diplo

-          Calvin Harris

-          Elle Magazine

-          Stella McCartney

-          Mark Ronson

-          Martin Garrix

-          Sean Paul

-          MAMAMOO

-          Sziget Festival

-          Coachella

By allowing Dua Lipa to continue spreading messages, these brands would be upholding extremist rhetoric and dangerous racist symbols, and empowering another cog in the machine of global systemic racism.