News on combating discrimination
Promoting a safer public space in Bosnia and Herzegovina by recognising and preventing hate speech
Civil servants in Bosnia and Herzegovina are strengthening their ability to recognise, respond to and prevent hate speech, following a tailored training organised by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the BiH Civil Service Agency. The training, held in Mostar on 24-25 March, brought...
Young European Ambassadors build bridges against discrimination in Venice
The Council of Europe works closely with Young European Ambassadors (YEA) to strengthen youth engagement in promoting equality, diversity and human rights across Europe and its neighbouring regions. In this context, 25 Young European Ambassadors from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership...
Inclusion takes centre stage across BiH cinemas
From 22 to 28 January, thousands of cinema-goers across Bosnia and Herzegovina were greeted with a simple yet powerful message before their films at CineStar cinemas: “Our diversity makes us stronger.” This awareness-raising initiative by the Euroepan Union and Council of Europe offered viewers a...
Turning dialogue into everyday action in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Across Bosnia and Herzegovina, people working in religious communities, education, and civil society often come from different backgrounds, traditions, and life paths. Yet when they speak about the societies they want to build, their words reflect shared values: responsibility, dignity, and the...
Advancing Self-Identification of National Minorities through Dialogue and Community Engagement
After the successful roundtable in Kukës, the European Union and Council of Europe anti-discrimination action and the OSCE Presence in Albania supported the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Committee for National Minorities in organising another roundtable, this time in Dervican (Dropull)....
Understanding hate, building stronger foundations for our communities
After months of online attacks, Aleksandra* from Montenegro started self-censorship. She withdrew from advocating for her community and even her own rights. Every post, every comment, every debate had become a battlefield, and the cost of speaking out had grown unbearable. This is one of the...
Identity matters: promoting self-identification of national minorities in Kukës
The Ministry of Internal Affairs in co-operation with the Committee on National Minorities organised today in Kukës a roundtable to raise awareness and inform local communities about the procedure of the self-identification as a national minority according to the respective by-laws. Supported by...
Оснажнување на социјалните работници за борба против дискриминацијата и антициганизмот
Борбата против дискриминацијата и антициганизмот претставува значаен приоритет во напорите на Советот на Европа за изградба на еднакви и инклузивни општества. Социјалните работници во Северна Македонија често се наоѓаат во првите редови во работата со ранливите заедници, обезбедувајќи поддршка и...
Strengthening institutional responses to counter hate speech in Brčko District
Civil servants, representatives of civil society and media in Brčko District strengthened their understanding of how to recognise and address hate speech during a two-day capacity building held on 19–20 February 2026 in Teslić. Organised by the Government of Brčko District with the support of the...
From Awareness to Action: Reinforcing Anti-Discrimination Policing in Albania
426 students from all three academic years of the Police Academy of Tirana strengthened their capacities to address hate crimes. This is one of the key results of this year’s Anti-Discrimination Week, organised every February by the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, with support...
Council of Europe and Albanian public authorities step up co-operation towards more inclusive education in Korça
Senior representatives from the Council of Europe Office in Tirana, public institutions and local authorities met in Korça to discuss progress on the execution of the European Court judgement about the segregation of Roma and Egyptians pupils in “Naim Frashëri” school (‘X and Others v. Albania’...
Anti-Discrimination Week 2026 kicks off in Albania, promoting equality, dignity and inclusion for all
Under the motto “Equality, Dignity and Inclusion for All”, the Anti-Discrimination Week 2026 will take place across Albania from 9 to 16 February 2026, featuring a series of awareness-raising and capacity-building activities. The Anti-Discrimination Week Held annually in February is an initiative...
Социјални работници и воспитно-образовен кадар и технички персонал во градинките од Скопје дознаа повеќе за борбата против дискриминацијата
Министерството за социјална политика, демографија и млади, со поддршка на ЕУ и Советот на Европа, организираше две обуки за антидискриминација наменети за социјални работници и работнички, како и воспитно-образовен кадар и технички персонал од детските градинки низ Северна Македонија. Обуките се...
Промовирање етичко и родово чувствително известување за случаи на трговија со луѓе во Северна Македонија
Новинари и офицери за комуникации од Северна Македонија ги усовршија своите вештини за етичко и родово чувствително известување за случаи на трговија со луѓе, за време на обуката за градење капацитети, која што беше организирана од проект на Европската унија и Советот на Европа. Обуката, одржана...
Hate Speech in Albania: Despite increased awareness, it is perceived to be on the rise
The latest edition of the study “Beyond Definitions: A Call for Action Against Hate Speech in Albania” reveals significant patterns of hate speech in the country, showing both progress in awareness and gaps in action. According to the findings, 97% of respondents are now familiar with the concept...
Young voices reveal the unequal impact of environmental challenges
“For me, the most important insight was realising that environmental problems are not ‘neutral’, but that they affect certain groups of people much more strongly.” This reflection, shared by Vasilije Keranović from the Panel of Young Advisors to the Protector of Citizens, after working with...
Надоместок на штета за жртвите на трговија со луѓе во фокус за време на одбележувањето на неделата за борба против трговијата со луѓе
Жртвите на трговија со луѓе во Северна Македонија, често се соочуваат со долги процеси за обновување на својот живот и реинтеграција во општеството. Надоместокот на штета, како средство за справување со неправдата што овие жртви ја претрпеле од страна на општеството, е клучно за нивната...
Градење соработка за создавање на сеопфатен Акциски план за унапредување на правата на лицата кои припаѓаат на заедниците
The Council of Europe, in co-operation with the Agency for Community Rights Realisation and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade organised in Skopje a consultation process to discuss the draft Action Plan on Advancing the Rights of Persons belonging to Communities dedicated to the...
Finding the balance between freedom of expression and hate speech: judiciary, public institutions and civil society in dialogue
European standards and relevant case law on combating hate speech, with particular attention to the risks posed by the misuse of criminal law to restrict legitimate freedom of expression were examined during a Judicial Dialogue in Pristina organised with the support of EU and Council of Europe....
LGBTI Human Rights Defenders from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership Regions Work Together to Strengthen Solidarity and Sustainability
LGBTI human rights defenders and activists from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions, including the Belarusian community in exile, met in Pristina to join their efforts in support of gender equality, fight against targeted violence and hate crime, and explore new opportunities for...
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