The European Union and the Council of Europe, in partnership with the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, organised on 17-18 May on Jahorina a discussion with the title How can religion and religious communities contribute to combating hate speech. This activity gathered 28 religious community representatives, media, civil society organisations and academia involved in discussing the essential role of religious communities and media in combating hate speech.

By promoting messages of tolerance and understanding, religious leaders and members of religious’ communities can play a crucial role in fostering peaceful coexistence and building inclusive societies where diversity is respected. Religious leaders are listened to and followed by many people, having therefore a very impactful role. As some of the participants highlighted during the discussion, youth living in Bosnia and Herzegovina state to have most trust in family, friends, and their religious communities.

Following the information session on hate speech and freedom of speech presented by the Ombudsperson Dr. Džumhur, the representatives of five different religious communities discussed hate speech from different angles, the philosophical, theological, legal, and psychological point of view. Measures that they could use to combat hate speech and appropriate reactions once these occur were among the topics tackled in a session. It was also concluded that religious communities should, among priorities, have the preventive measures, and condemn hate speech no matter who/to which religious community the victim of hate speech belongs to.

This discussion was organised with the support of the action "Towards an equal, inclusive and tolerant Bosnia and Herzegovina", which is implemented within the framework of the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye".