Back Launch of a hybrid learning activity on combating hate speech based on Council of Europe’s standards

Launch of a hybrid learning activity on combating hate speech based on Council of Europe’s standards

The Council of Europe launched a hybrid training course with representatives from different state institutions, Public Defenders office and civil society organisations on ECRI General Policy Recommandation No. 15 on combating hate speech. The opening session of the course took place on 12 September and the learning activity will continue for two months, comprising of webinars and online learning modules.

The course aims to familiarise participants with the definitions, standards and approaches proposed by the Committee of Ministers recommendation on combating hate speech CM/Rec(2022)16 and the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) General Policy Recommendation No. 15 on combating hate speech. It will also develop participants’ understanding of the concept of hate speech, its forms, causes and consequences, and introduce various tools on addressing hate speech. Also, one of the objectives of the course is to motivate the participants to take action against hate speech, to form a network of stakeholders to cooperate in combatting hate speech and implement GPR 15 recommendations in Georgia.

The course, which consists of eight topics, follows the structure and the content of the ECRI GPR 15 on combating hate speech. It is available on the Council of Europe’s HELP online platform and refers to the Committee of Ministers Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)16. In the upcoming period, the 21 participants attending the course will learn more about:

  • Defining and identifying hate speech
  • Raising public awareness and using counter-speech
  • Support for those targeted by hate speech
  • Self-regulation as a means of tackling the use of hate speech
  • Media, the internet and hate speech
  • Administrative and civil liability for the use of hate speech
  • Administrative and other sanctions against organizations that use hate speech
  • Criminal liability and sanctions for the use of hate speech

This event is part of the European Union and Council of Europe joint programme “Partnership for Good Governance”, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in the framework of the project “Combating hate speech in Georgia”.

Georgia 12 September 2023
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Strasbourg, France Strasbourg, 1-2 July 2024
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Addressing hate speech and hate crime: regional gathering of the network of Equality Bodies from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership Region

A two-day workshop on addressing hate speech and hate crime took place at the premises of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, involving Equality bodies from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership regions.  The event supported by the EU and Council of Europe, gathered 50 representatives from both regions who discussed and exchanged on the best practices, measures and common challenges when addressing hate speech and hate crime. Through monitoring and reporting, policy advocacy, raising awareness and supporting victims equality bodies play a fundamental role in protecting human rights and ensuring that all individuals are treated equally.

In her opening remarks, Angela Longo, Head of Anti-discrimination Co-operation Unit, Council of Europe, underlined the significant progress in engaging with Equality Bodies through this network, regularly exchanging best practices and addressing the challenges of hatred and intolerance in societies. She highlighted that this new chapter of discussion delves into the grey area between hate speech and hate crime, addressing issues of incitement and biases,

Representatives from Equality Bodies had the opportunity to discuss and enhance their knowledge on the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers Recommendation to member States on combating hate crime, adopted on 7th May 2024, as well as gain a clearer understanding of EU standards in the field of hate crime. Moreover, participants engaged in exchanges with peers from the Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE), who shared insights on addressing hate speech in the public discourse. The National Office Against Racial Discrimination (UNAR) in Italy provided practical examples for developing counter-narratives and raising awareness initiatives.

They also explored opportunities to advocate for legislative reform, foster multisectoral co-operation, enhance data collection, and overall improve national mechanisms to counter hate crimes.

This seminar was organised within the action “Promoting equality and combating racism and intolerance in the Western Balkans” and the project “Promoting equality and non-discrimination: towards more resilient and inclusive societies” – co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe  under the joint Programmes “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and “Partnership for Good Governance”.

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