At the initiative of, and in collaboration with, the Human Rights Defender’s Office of the Republic of Armenia, representatives of state institutions and journalists took part in a workshop that provided an open platform for dialogue on hate speech in public discourse.
The event enabled discussions on the occurrence of hate speech in public, with participants sharing views on relevant European standards, good practice at both local and international level, and available redress mechanisms. The crucial mission of the Human Rights Defender Office as Armenian’s national equality body was highlighted. As emphasised in the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) General Policy Recommendations, equality bodies are instrumental in monitoring and combating hate speech, including facilitating dialogue across all sectors of society.
Follow-up discussions addressed challenges in the interaction between media representatives and state institutions, clarifying respective roles and responsibilities and stressing the need for an inclusive approach to counter this negative phenomenon. Particular attention was given to ethical reporting, particularly in cases involving discrimination cases and vulnerable groups.
Participants expressed their commitment to continuing engagement in future discussions on hate speech and discrimination, and strengthening co-operation among relevant stakeholders, developing counter-narratives, and promoting diversity, tolerance, and inclusive language in the public sphere – for the benefit of all citizens and people living in Armenia.
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 “Promoting equality and non-discrimination in Armenia”.
