Marked for the first time in 2022, the UN International Day for Countering Hate Speech (18 June) is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the risks posed by hate speech to human rights, democracy and the rule of law and take collective action to implement the principles of the Council of Europe Recommendation on Combating Hate Speech.

The recently adopted Committee of Ministers Recommendation (2022)16 on combating hate speech calls on governments and other key stakeholders to develop comprehensive strategies to prevent and combat hate speech through effective legal and policy frameworks covering criminal, civil and administrative law and through the implementation of additional measures, including awareness-raising measures; education; training; counter- and alternative speech; providing support to those targeted by hate speech; monitoring and analysis of hate speech; and increased national coordination and international cooperation. 

 Newsroom: Council of Europe proposes a comprehensive legal and policy framework to combat hate speech

 Text: Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)16 of the Committee of Ministers to Member States in combating hate speech (adopted)

 ADI/MSI-DIS Committee of Experts on Combating Hate Speech (work finalised)

 PC/ADI-CH Committee of Experts on Combating Hate Crime (work in progress)

 United Nations: International Day for Countering Hate Speech (18 June 2022)