This set of regional actions offer assistance in improving the record of fighting discrimination, racism, hate speech and hate crime in the Western Balkans. They build on the work done and results achieved under the previous phase of the Horizontal Facility programme and the actions on Promotion of diversity and equality in the Western Balkans, in line with the latest trends in the field of racism and intolerance in Europe as outlined in the Annual Reports of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI).

The technical support is provided as part of the beneficiaries’ EU accession process, in line with European standards – notably those from the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance – as well as with the EU Anti-racism Action Plan  2020-2025.

The actions (consisting of 6 beneficiary specific and a regional one) are implemented within the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” running from 2023 until 2026.

More on the beneficiary specific actions:
Albania – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Kosovo* - Montenegro – North Macedonia – Serbia

Back Addressing hate speech and hate crime: regional gathering of the network of Equality Bodies from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership Region

Addressing hate speech and hate crime: regional gathering of the network of Equality Bodies from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership Region

A two-day workshop on addressing hate speech and hate crime took place at the premises of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, involving Equality bodies from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership regions.  The event supported by the EU and Council of Europe, gathered 50 representatives from both regions who discussed and exchanged on the best practices, measures and common challenges when addressing hate speech and hate crime. Through monitoring and reporting, policy advocacy, raising awareness and supporting victims equality bodies play a fundamental role in protecting human rights and ensuring that all individuals are treated equally.

 In her opening remarks, Angela Longo, Head of Anti-discrimination Co-operation Unit, Council of Europe, underlined the significant progress in engaging with Equality Bodies through this network, regularly exchanging best practices and addressing the challenges of hatred and intolerance in societies.  She highlighted that this new chapter of discussion delves into the grey area between hate speech and hate crime, addressing issues of incitement and biases.

Representatives from Equality Bodies had the opportunity to discuss and enhance their knowledge on the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers Recommendation to member States on combating hate crime, adopted on 7th May 2024, as well as gain a clearer understanding of EU standards in the field of hate crime. Moreover, participants engaged in exchanges with peers from the Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE), who shared insights on addressing hate speech in the public discourse. The National Office Against Racial Discrimination (UNAR) in Italy provided practical examples for developing counter-narratives and raising awareness initiatives.

They also explored opportunities to advocate for legislative reform, foster multisectoral co-operation, enhance data collection, and overall improve national mechanisms to counter hate crimes.

This seminar was organised within the action “Promoting equality and combating racism and intolerance in the Western Balkans” and the project “Promoting equality and non-discrimination: towards more resilient and inclusive societies” – co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe  under the joint Programmes “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and “Partnership for Good Governance”.

STRASBOURG, FRANCE 1-2 JULY 2024
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What are the objectives of the regional action?

The ultimate goal of the regional action on “Promoting equality and combating racism and intolerance 
in the Western Balkans” is to increase the awareness of the institutions and of the population in the Western Balkans about hatred, racism and intolerance, and develop a harmonised institutional approach to tackle these issues. 

Who benefits from the action?

The action ultimate beneficiary is the population in the Western Balkans. By providing technical assistance and raising awareness of public institutions and related actors in the field, the action will contribute towards improving the anti-discrimination policies, its redress mechanisms and advancing in the overall protection of human rights for the vulnerable communities. 

How will the action work?

The action will work with Government representatives in charge of combating racism; with equality bodies; with police administrations; with civil society organizations and youth activists. 
The action provides capacity building initiatives, adapting existing tools and methodologies of the Council of Europe. It also provides occasions for peer exchanges and multi-stakeholder dialogue activities to foster co-operation among partners in the region and the dialogue between state and non-state stakeholders.
Awareness raising on combatting discrimination and promoting diversity towards Youth and the general population constitutes an important component of the action. 

What do we expect to achieve?

Notably, the action will ensure that:

  • Policy makers better address racism and intolerance;

  • Equality bodies and police administrations enhance their capacities to respond to racism and intolerance, by operating in diverse societies;

  • The youth and ultimately the general public are more aware of the dangers of hatred, racism and intolerance to societies and can take actions against these phenomena.

What is the budget of the actions?

The total budget of the actions is 3,5 Million Euros, out of which 700,000 Euros for its regional component.

The budget allocated to the overall Horizontal Facility programme amounts to ca. 41 Million EUR (85% funded by the European Union, 15% by the Council of Europe)

The “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” is a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe that enables the Western Balkans Beneficiaries and Türkiye to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with the European standards, which is also a priority for the EU enlargement process.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ opinion on Kosovo Declaration of Independence


 

HFIII AT A GLANCE

Duration: January 2023 - December 2026
Funding: European Union and Council of Europe
Budget: 41 Million Euros (85% funded by the EU, 15% by the CoE)
Overall budget for the actions on combating discrimination in the Western Balkans: 3,5 Million Euros
Out of which - budget for the regional action on Promoting equality and combating racism and intolerance in the Western Balkans: 700,000 Euros
Implemented by: Council of Europe
 

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