International conference on xenophobia and racism committed through computer systems
Held on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the First Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime
Strasbourg, France, 30-31 January 2023
The rise of xenophobia and racism committed through computer systems has become a major concern for governments, civil society organizations, and the tech industry around the globe.
Online hate speech can fuel violence and discrimination, have a harmful and devastating impact on victims and communities, and undermine the values of inclusivity and respect.
Addressing xenophobia and racism committed through computer systems is an important part of efforts to counter these forms of violence and create a safer and more inclusive online and offline environment.
The First Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime, also known as the Protocol on Xenophobia and Racism, is an important step towards addressing these issues. It is an international treaty that aims to address the use of computer systems to commit crimes related to xenophobia and racism.
Overall, the First Additional Protocol in conjunction with the mechanisms of the Convention on Cybercrime and its Second Additional Protocol on enhanced co-operation and disclosure of electronic evidence provide a valuable toolkit for addressing the use of computer systems to commit crimes related to xenophobia and racism online, help to promote justice, guarantees human rights, protect the rights of victims and ensure justice and fairness in cyberspace.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the First Additional Protocol, and presents an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in addressing xenophobia and racism committed through computer systems, as well as the challenges that remain.
Key Messages
Some 110 experts on cybercrime and hate speech from over 45 countries – including from public and private sectors, academia and civil society organisations – participated in person or online in the Conference on xenophobia and racism committed through computer systems at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, and online from 30 to 31 January 2023.
The conference was held on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of 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”, that was opened for signature on 28 January 2003.
Objective of the conference
The objective of this conference is to strengthen policies, cooperation and criminal justice capacities against online xenophobia and racism and to provide guidance to the implementation of the Protocol on Xenophobia and Racism.
Expected outcomes
- Increased understanding of the provisions, benefits and implementation challenges of the First Additional Protocol;
- Cooperation promoted between governments, the tech industry, and civil society in promoting responsible online speech;
- Further guidance in the form of good practices and recommendations to facilitate implementation of the Protocol on xenophobia and racism available (inputs to the good practice study).
Participants
This conference will bring together a diverse group of participants, including representatives from international organisations, government, law enforcement, judiciary, private sector, civil society organizations, academia and other experts in the field of online hate speech.
Administrative arrangements
- Working languages: the working languages of the conference are English and French.
- Venue: the conference will take place in person and online through a dedicated platform. Participation is free of charge but subject to registration. Interested stakeholders are invited to register until 23 January 2023 (registration is now closed).
- Venue for in person attendance: Agora Building of the Council of Europe (8 Avenue de l’Europe, 67000 Strasbourg, France), Room G03. Badges will be distributed at the entrance of the Agora building on the first day of the Conference upon presentation of a valid ID or passport.
- The link for online participation will be sent closer to the event to registered participants only.
- Livestreaming will also be ensured and available on this webpage (in listening mode only, either in English or in French).
- Getting around Strasbourg: local transport & useful contacts
- Access to the Council of Europe premises and registration: more information shortly
- Visa: kindly note that visa arrangements are the traveler’s responsibility.
- Accommodation: list of recommended hotels in Strasbourg
- Meals: a reception co-hosted by the Icelandic Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and the Octopus project will be offered on Monday 30 January in front of the room G03, Agora building, after the first day of the event and until 7 PM.
- COVID-19 protocols: please note that it is the traveler’s responsibility to observe and respect the rules regarding COVID-19 applying in France (and all transiting countries if any) for travelling and for physical gatherings. At the Council of Europe, the weaking of masks is recommended, as is a social distancing of 2m between people or 4m2 per participant. The Council of Europe Covid self-declaration form is no longer required. However, please contact the organisers at cybercrime.events@coe.int promptly should you find yourself in any of the following situations: you tested positive for Covid-19; you present symptoms (such as sore throat, cough, cold symptoms) even if mild; you have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the past 7 days.
Futher details and updates on the administrative arrangements will be provided to registered participants closer to the conference date.
Resources
- Council of Europe: Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime concerning the criminalisation of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems (January 2003)
- Council of Europe video: First Additional Protocol explained: EN | FR | ES
- Cybercrime Convention Committee (T-CY): Mapping Study on Cyberviolence (July 2018)
- Council of Europe: Cyberviolence portal
- Council of Europe: Study on good practices on the implementation of the First Additional Protocol (coming soon)
- Council of Europe: Podcast on the First Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime (coming soon)
- Council of Europe: CM/Rec(2022)16 on hate speech and its Explanatory Memorandum (May 2022)
- Council of Europe: Leaflet on CM/Rec(2022)16 on combating hate speech (November 2022)
- European Court of Human Rights: Thematic factsheet on hate speech (December 2022)
- Council of Europe: Thematic factsheet on hate speech by the Department of Execution of Judgements of the European Court of Human Rights (December 2022)
- Council of Europe: Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers to member States on combating hate crime (ongoing work)
- Council of Europe: Mapping of national responses to hate speech
- European Commission: The EU Code of conduct on countering illegal hate speech online (2016)
- European Commission: Information provided by the IT companies about measures taken to counter hate speech, including their actions to automatically detect content (November 2022)
- European Commission: Factsheet – 7th monitoring round of the Code of Conduct (December 2022)
Day 1 – 30 January 2023
- Welcome and opening remarks
- Setting the scene: "Phenomena and impact of online xenophobia and racism"
- Good practices and challenges in implementing the First Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime
- Hate speech vs freedom of expression: criteria and boundaries
- Cooperative approaches to addressing online xenophobia and racism
- Concluding remarks for the first day
Day 2 – 31 January 2023
- Criminal justice action: experience and challenges in the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of online xenophobia and racism
- Guidance to the implementation of the Protocol on Xenophobia and Racism
- Conclusions of the Conference
Day 1
Welcome and opening remarks
Setting the scene: “Phenomena and impact of online xenophobia and racism”
- Alexander Seger, Council of Europe – The Convention on Cybercrime and its Protocols: a framework for addressing xenophobia and racism via computer systems
- Papa Assane Toure, Senegal – Current Trends and Challenges in Addressing Online Hate Speech in Senegal
- Anastasiia Ponarina, Ukraine
- Menno Ettema, Council of Europe
- Alexander Brown, University of East Anglia – Implementing the Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime on Xenophobia and Racism: Good practice study
Good practices and challenges in implementing the First Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime
- Alexander Seger, Council of Europe
- Alexander Brown, University of East Anglia
- Elvira Tejada de la Fuente, Spain – Spanish legislation and best practices against hate speech and hate crime
- Xavier Leonetti, France
Hate speech vs freedom of expression: criteria and boundaries
- Chara Bakalis, Oxford Brookes University – Legislating for online hate speech
- Urska Umek, Council of Europe
- Ireneusz Kondak, European Court of Human Rights
- Emilar Gandhi, META
- Joanna Szymanska, Article 19
Cooperative approaches to addressing online xenophobia and racism
- Nick Bauer, Google
- Johan Friestedt, European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)
Concluding remarks for the first day
Day 2
Criminal justice action: experience and challenges in the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of online xenophobia and racism
- Fernanda Teixeira Souza Domingos, Brazil
- Samia El Hamdaoui, Morocco – The experience of Morocco in fighting acts of xenophobic and racist nature committed through computer systems
- Ana Minevski, Montenegro – The experience of Montenegro in fighting acts of xenophobic and racist nature committed through computer systems
- Upeksha Madukalpani Sapukotana, Sri Lanka – Legal Framework on Xenophobia and Racism in Sri Lanka
Guidance to the implementation of the Protocol on Xenophobia and Racism
- Pedro Verdelho, Portugal
- Eirik Trønnes Hansen, Norway – Guidance to the implementation of the protocol on Xenophobia and Racism
- Xavier Leonetti, France
Conclusions of the conference