"Five years after the Oslo attacks and the Utøya massacre that claimed 77 lives on 22 July 2011, hate-driven violence remains a challenge for European society and governments today", said Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland, calling for a determined response to hate crime.
“Sadly, as the recent tragic events in France, Germany, Belgium and elsewhere in Europe have demonstrated, violence driven by hate - hate crime in general - remains a very serious challenge for societies and governments today.”
“We have to respond robustly. Hate crime cannot be tolerated. The Council of Europe is more determined now than ever to respond, to protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe.”
Jagland called for joining the initiative of the Council of Europe’s No Hate Speech Movement, the Europe-wide Action day in commemoration of victims of hate crime, to show solidarity with them and take a stand in support of human rights.
“The young people of the No Hate Speech Movement show us that through dialogue, education, good will and hard work, the cycle of hate and fear can be broken,” he said.