Publications

This publication includes case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in relation to hate crimes and hate speech cases. This collection analyzes cases when it comes to speech that incited hatred with particular reference to the case-law of some of the extreme forms of speech that were problematized before the ECtHR. The purpose of this collection is through brief comments on the most interesting judgments and decisions on hate speech and hate crimes, to clarify the standards that the Court has set before the States Parties to the Convention. Not available in English.

This research report provides an overview of the existing stereotypes and their impact on creating inter-ethnic distance, as well as an opportunity to monitor the developments in the field of ethnic interaction in the country in the past twenty years. Furthermore, the report presents the results related to the issues of discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the national context. This report is not available in English.

In order to provide stakeholders of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro with more detailed knowledge about the differentiation between inappropriate and hate speech, the Mission hired an international consultant to produce a comprehensive research. The study examines and differentiates the fine lines between inappropriate, defamatory and hate speech in media content, with a particular focus on online media. Within the research, the consultant explains the lines between expressions of opinion, allegations, defamations and incitement to violence, hate speech and other forms of deliberate disinformation present in media content. The research compares EU and Montenegrin law and regulations, including the practise of the ECHR, media standards on self-regulation, and Journalist’s Codes of Ethics.

This document is an overview of the application of national legislation in the area of countering hate speech. The study reflects general trends and focuses on the most prominent signs of hate speech. The document provides description of specific lawsuits related to manifestations of hate speech, examples of evaluations on controversial journalistic materials by media self-regulatory organizations and provides recommendations on effective response to instances of hate speech at the legislative level. The study was carried out within the Project "Supporting Conflict-Sensitive Journalism in Ukraine", implemented by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. The conclusions and views expressed in the report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine.

The book is prepared with the support of OSCE Mission to Skopje extended to the Institute of Journalism, Media and Communications, within the Faculty of Law „Iustinianus I“ within „Ss. Cyril and Methodius„ University in Skopje. It is intended for journalists, journalism students, media and their editors, as well as the general public, dealing with the issues of freedom of expression, hate speech, defamation and insult, as well as the legal framework in the country.

The publication includes compilation of rulings and judgments in regards to hate speech cases issued by the European Court for Human Rights. This publication is not available in English.

Christians of various denominations are targets of hate crime across the OSCE region. The nature of hate crimes against Christians ranges from attacks on property, including graffiti and vandalism, to physical assaults. This factsheet highlights how hate crimes affect Christians, and helps readers to effectively identify anti-Christian hate crimes. Only a strong response from all actors in societies can effectively challenge discrimination, intolerance and hate crimes against Christians.

It is important to now what is a hate crime. When a hate crime is committed, one or more perpetrators target the victim, which can be one or more people or property, because of a protected aspect of the victim's identity, such as religion or ethnicity, race, sexual orientation or disability. Similarly, a hate incident is an act of hostility motivated by prejudice or bias that does not necessarily reach the threshold of a criminal offence, or the criminal nature of which is yet to be determined. A hate crime is any crime where the perpetrator is driven by prejudice or bias. Criminal offence + bias motive = hate crime

Muslim communities across the OSCE region are the victims of rhetoric that often associates them with terrorism and extremism, or portrays the presence of Muslim communities as a threat to national identity. Muslims are often portrayed as a monolithic group, whose religion and culture are incompatible with the concepts of human rights and democracy. This intolerance, left unchecked, can enable a climate that fosters hate crime against Muslims, which is an attempt to isolate them from society. Only a strong response from all actors in society can effectively challenge discrimination, intolerance and hate crimes against Muslims.

Intolerance against Muslims in any form — be it violence, discrimination, harassment or online abuse — has a detrimental effect on the lives of Muslim individuals and communities. This Guide is designed to aid governments in their actions on preventing and combating hate crimes including by an analysis of security risks and the necessary actions required, with the aim of improving the capacity of the police and other institutions to meet the security needs of Muslim communities and individuals. It also touches on select topics, such as the underreporting and under-recording of hate crimes against Muslims. In addition, the Guide sets out practical steps that governments can take to address issues of security for Muslim communities, which work in tandem with the efforts within these same communities.