Around 80 participants gathered online on 15 December 2022 for the first webinar in the series of webinars on xenophobia and racism online, organised in the framework of the 20th anniversary of the First Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime.
Among the topics addressed were specialised units for handling online hate speech and hate crime offences, reporting mechanisms in place for unlawful content, extending the scope of criminalisation, as well as co-operation and harmonisation of approaches.
This first webinar was also an occasion to encourage states and non-state actors to reflect on and share their experiences of addressing xenophobia and racism committed online, challenges faces, and ways to overcoming them.
Currently, the First Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime, concerning the criminalisation of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems (ETS 189), has 33 Parties. While the First Protocol focuses on substantive criminal law by requiring Parties to criminalise a number of acts of xenophobic and racist nature, the Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention) offers tools such as procedurals powers and international co-operation provisions to investigate these offences. The same is true for the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime, opened for signature in May 2022, that further enhances co-operation and disclosure of electronic evidence. States are therefore encouraged to join all three instruments. Countries which joined the Convention on Cybercrime (68 States to date) can become Parties to the Protocol, making them part of a strong and effective system to stop online hate.
As part of the programme dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the First Additional Protocol, a second webinar is envisaged, as well as an international conference on xenophobia and racism committed via computer systems, organised with support from the Octopus Project and in co-operation with the Icelandic Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
The Council of Europe gratefully acknowledges voluntary contributions of the donors to the Octopus Project.
Council of Europe: First Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime (dedicated webpage)
Council of Europe: Series of webinars on xenophobia and racism online
Council of Europe: International conference on xenophobia and racism committed through computer systems (dedicated webpage)
Council of Europe: Icelandic Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
Council of Europe: Second Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime on enhanced co-operation and disclosure of electronic evidence
Council of Europe: Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention)
Council of Europe: Cyberviolence portal
Council of Europe: Octopus Project
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