Collective efforts needed to address all forms of intolerance, including hate crime, say ODIHR event participants

Addressing intolerance in all its forms requires a collective effort from political and community leaders, policymakers, criminal justice officials, civil society actors and representatives of faith-based organizations, among others, concluded participants in an ODIHR event held in Warsaw on 29 September 2022.

The event, which gathered more than 40 participants, took place on the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

“Inclusion and tolerance among diverse groups are the hallmarks of peaceful, cohesive societies,” said Kishan Manocha, Head of the Tolerance and Non-Discrimination department at ODIHR. “Our Office works to realize this vision through comprehensive initiatives to counter intolerance and foster mutual respect and understanding.”

ODIHR presented its tools, activities and programmes to deepen participants’ knowledge of the Office’s work to help participating States meet their OSCE commitments on tolerance and non-discrimination. These include reviewing hate crime legislation, training police and prosecutors, building the capacity of civil society and developing mechanisms to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated response to hate crime.

Underpinning these efforts is ODIHR’s hate crime report, published each year on 16 November – International Day of Tolerance. The largest hate crime dataset in the world, the report helps inform policymaking and practices, making it instrumental in strengthening societies’ response to hate crime.

As part of its work, ODIHR provides a vital space for experts, practitioners and change-makers to convene and consolidate their experience in addressing hatred and exclusion. This dialogue is essential for shaping and guiding efforts to foster tolerance and inclusion throughout the OSCE region.