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Addressing hate speech through improving data collection in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership Region

The joint network of equality bodies working in the field of combatting hate speech delivered the first of the four planned workshops on “Addressing hate speech through improving data collection”. The activity aimed at ensuring a practical exchange between 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. Collecting such data is important as equality data can not only reflect inequalities but also their causes and effects. That data can accordingly steer the activities of all relevant actors, help policymakers to improve existent frameworks, combat discrimination and also monitor effective implementation of relevant international and domestic standards in this field.

Aside to peer-to-peer exchange, participants had the opportunity to learn more about the work of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights and the Guidelines on improving the collection and use of equality data but also on activities on combating hate speech online.

A specific session was devoted to the newly adopted Council of Europe Recommendation on combating hate speech that encourages member states to prepare and implement effective strategies to explore and address the root causes of hate speech, which include disinformation, negative stereotyping and stigmatisation of individuals and groups but also to undertake a range of concrete measures to promote awareness raising, education, training, counter-speech, alternative speech and intercultural dialogue.

This format of co-operation between equality bodies enables a platform for sharing information on applicable European/international standards, guidelines, examples of good practices but also for discussing challenges and possibilities for improvements through mutual support.

This activity is organized within the European Union and Council of Europe joint programmes Horizontal Facility II and Partnership for Good Governance II 2019-2022 through their respective actions on “Promotion of diversity and equality in the Western Balkans” and “Strengthening access to justice through non-judicial redress mechanisms for victims of discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in  the Eastern Partnership,” funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, implemented by the Council of Europe.

Eastern Partnership 3 June 2022
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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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