The staff of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) was trained on European anti-discrimination and hate speech standards through two online sessions held on 14 December 2023 and 25 January 2024. These activities were tailored to respond to the mandate of the national equality body, in the field of protecting human rights and promoting equality and non-discrimination. Sessions contributed to the strengthening of capacities of this institution to deal with the relating cases and in accomplishing the promotional role on human rights.
The first training ensured a presentation and discussion about the Council of Europe standards on non-discrimination, relevant for combating discrimination within the mandate of the equality body. It also provided an overview of the role of European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) in enhancing equality at national level.
The second online session enabled participants to learn about the European Commission’s work in the field of hate speech, new trends and developments, of significant importance also from the EU’s accession perspective. Participants also expanded their understanding of the hate speech phenomenon, notably the Council of Europe Recommendation on Combating Hate Speech, adopted by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in 2022. They also got acquainted with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights in this area.
Around 30 participants, representing regional branches of Commissioner’s office and Department of Monitoring of Observance of Equal Rights and Freedoms, Rights of National Minorities, Political and Religious Beliefs joined both online sessions. The in-person training which will be following in the coming month, will focus on hate speech monitoring and data collection, cooperation with other relevant actors in Ukraine, good practices from Council of Europe member states relating to the redress mechanisms for victims of hate speech.
These events are part of the European Union and the 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 “Combating hate speech in Ukraine".
