The second of four modules on “Addressing hate speech through improving data collection”, enabled continuation of co-operation among equality bodies/Ombudsperson institutions from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership regions on the topic of data collection in combating hate speech and hate crime.
This time, participants reflected into practical exercises on designing of policies based on the data available within their respective institutions, by applying knowledge and skills acquired during the previous workshop, held on 3 June 2022, considering the European standards and examples of good practices in this field. Once again, the peer-to-peer exchange on data collection, hate speech and policy development was confirmed as a valuable and motivating model for strengthening capacities of equality bodies in both regions involved with this project.
Through one of the sessions, participants had the opportunity to learn more about the UN Strategy and the Plan of Action on Hate Speech, launched in response to the current alarming trends of growing xenophobia, racism and intolerance, violent misogyny, anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred around the world. Also, the Hate speech calculator – an online tool developed under the Council of Europe project “WE CAN for human rights speech” was presented as a practical instrument for analysing cases of hate speech.
In addition, the event ensured further and more in-depth discussion on appropriate responses to inequality and hate speech in our societies and highlighted the need for addressing hate speech at both local and global level by using a human rights approach, and with involvement of all relevant actors.
The activity was organized within the action “Promotion of diversity and equality in the Western Balkans” (“Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019 - 2022” programme) and the project “Strengthening access to justice through non-judicial redress mechanisms for victims of discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the Eastern Partnership” (“Partnership for Good Governance II 2019-2022” programme), joint initiatives of the European Union and the Council of Europe, implemented by the Council of Europe.