On the 6th of February 2024, the Ombudsperson Institution organized a roundtable in Pristina, to discuss the findings of the ex-officio report “Language in public discourse”, aiming at addressing hate speech in the public space and public discourse, through the eyes of the equality body.

In his opening remarks, the Ombudsperson, Naim Qelaj, stated that freedom of expression is important in a democratic society and that this right must be balanced with other rights, notably to ensure non-discrimination principles and protect vulnerable groups.“This includes the state’s obligation to take measures against language that incites hatred against certain individuals or groups, based on race and racial discrimination, gender-based discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, as well as all forms that basically they have discrimination and not tolerance”. He added that hate speech based on discrimination against women, LGBTIQ+ persons and other vulnerable groups is increasing, especially on social networks.

Tankut Soykan, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe’s Office, emphasized that hate speech damages societies, it undermines social cohesion by putting individuals and groups against each other. "This is a specifically poisonous circle, whereby the most vulnerable in the society suffer of hatred the most and get stigmatized”, said Soykan.

The findings of the report were discussed in two separate panels and during an open debate with the participation of representatives of the media, civil society, and representatives of public institutions.

The topic “Inappropriate language in public discourse” was discussed in the first panel, with representatives from the Parliament, media, CSOs and academia. The second panel, with participants from, the Judiciary and media discussed “The role of local institutions in the protection of freedom of expression and respect for its limits”.

The report was published, and its presentation funded with the financial support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, through the joint action “Combating discrimination and hatred”,  implemented within the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.