Înapoi Results, challenges and plans for the future discussed with project stakeholders on combating discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes

Results, challenges and plans for the future discussed with project stakeholders on combating discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes

The European Union and the Council of Europe are working together in Eastern Partnership countries to combat discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes.

On 16 November 2021 the third Technical Project Committee meeting of our joint project “Strengthening access to justice for victims of discrimination, hate crime and hate speech in the Eastern Partnership”, was held with the aim to discuss the project results, challenges and plans for the future of the project in the framework of extension until August 2022, as well as the needs to be taken into consideration for future actions in the field of equality and non-discrimination.

 

The meeting was an occasion to re-engage project stakeholders, including equality bodies/Ombudsoffices, public institutions, civil society organisations, EU representatives from the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) and EU Delegations in the Eastern Partnership region, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and representatives from the Council of Europe external offices.

Important project outcomes since September 2020 were presented during the event and this provided the opportunity to discuss in an extended format with the project stakeholders about the achievements, challenges and priorities for the implementation of the project until August 2022.

Meeting attendants emphasised in their feedback the constant work, flexibility and openness of the project in addressing the subjects of equality and non-discrimination, under the four project pillars: legislative support, capacity and institutional building, awareness raising and enhancement of civil society, and combating hate speech through comprehensive strategies. They also encouraged the continuation of the project in long run as a response to the continuous needs to sustain the fight against discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes.

The meeting was organised in the framework of the project “Strengthening access to justice for victims of discrimination, hate speech and hate crime in the Eastern Partnership” funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe in the framework of the Partnership for Good Governance II.

Online 16 November 2021
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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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