Effectively addressing hate speech across all areas, including robust domestic monitoring and reporting mechanisms, requires tailor-made capacity building in line with international standards.

To support this effort, the Council of Europe organised a training for key institutions at the State, entity, and Brčko District levels, along with independent bodies and civil society representatives. The aim is to strengthen the knowledge and skills of the relevant representatives in the field, while upholding human rights monitoring and reporting systems and enhancing domestic capacities to protect and promote human rights.

The training programme is structured around the Training Curriculum developed by Council of Europe experts, designed to support the Working group on human rights monitoring and reporting in respect of freedom of expression and access to information. Organised by the Council of Europe’s Division for Co-operation on Freedom of Expression, the training covered key topics such as the relationship between hate speech, freedom of expression, and non-discrimination. It also focused on international instruments related to hate speech, the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and an assessment of the alignment of domestic laws and practices with international standards. Additionally, the training included interactive discussions and exercises.

The training was organised under the framework of the project “Enhancing institutional capacities on freedom of expression and information in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EFEx)”, implemented by the Council of Europe and funded through the voluntary contribution of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The event was conducted in collaboration with the projects “Promoting good governance and Roma empowerment at local level – ROMACTED and “Towards an equal, inclusive and tolerant Bosnia and Herzegovina.