A two-day training on identifying and documenting bias-motivated offenses and hate speech was held in Chisinau on 11-12 July 2024. The training brought together 19 chiefs of police representing nearly half of police inspectorates from across the Republic of Moldova and 2 lecturers from the Police Academy.

In April 2024,  over half of the chiefs of police inspectorates already completed the two-day training, learning to distinguish between hate speech and freedom of expression while applying relevant legal provisions from the Misdemeanour Code. With such activities, the Council of Europe ensures continuity of learning processes among police forces in the country, to enhance diversity and equality as well as the protection of vulnerable groups.

The sessions covered legal provisions related to equality, non-discrimination, hate speech and bias-motivated offenses, including practical exercises based on real cases and incidents registered in Moldova over the years. These are practical tools useful for the upcoming elections, whereby hatred increased in the frame of campaigns.

By hearing real stories, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the vulnerabilities faced by certain groups. This understanding enables them to address such cases without prejudice.

Addressing hate speech effectively by law enforcement is crucial to prevent further escalation into more serious and violent forms of hatred. Managerial awareness is likewise important to pass the competences to subordinates. Therefore, the trained chiefs of police will further disseminate their knowledge to officers within their respective regions, at the benefit of the entire police force.

Since the beginning of the project, through continues trainings and cooperation with the General Police Inspectorate and the Police Academy ’’Stefan cel Mare’’, over 300 police officers, including 42 chiefs of police inspectorates, increased their knowledge on the principles of equality, non-discrimination and addressing bias-motivated offences.

The activity is part of the Council of Europe project ”Enhancing diversity and equality in the Republic of Moldova”,  implemented in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova for 2021-2024 and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Council of Europe project ’’Promoting non-discrimination in the Republic of Moldova’’.