From January to April 2024  – The Advocacy Centre for Democratic Culture (ACDC) completed their four-month long project aimed at promoting human rights and non-discrimination principles at the local level.

Several key activities were implemented, including public and social media awareness raising initiative, to raise awareness and knowledge among the public about various forms of hate speech, including subtle ones, and importance of its prevention.

An important result of this initiative is the research on public perception of hate speech among citizens of Northern Kosovo*. In total, 280 respondents from Northern Kosovo* participated in a survey aimed at investigating their perceptions and understanding of hate speech. Data collection was carried out entirely online, allowing respondents to complete the survey remotely and anonymously. A significant majority, constituting 92% of respondents, encountered hate speech in various forms, NGO ACDC's research said.

On 25 April, key findings of the research were presented at the final conference, organised in Pristina, in close co-operation between Ombudsperson institution, Council of Europe Office in Pristina and Office for Good Governance. These findings indicate the urgent need for collective action to address the widespread nature of hate speech, particularly online, underscoring the importance of protecting human rights.

Head of the Council of Europe Office in Pristina, Ms. Mary Ann Hennessey, emphasised that “to address hate speech requires teamwork, creativity and determination. It is essential to safeguard our human rights, our freedom of expression and assembly in safety and dignity for all, both online, in the media and in our public spaces”. As the conclusion the speakers and participants stated that Combating hate speech in Kosovo requires a collaborative effort of various stakeholders, including local institutions, the international community, civil society organizations, and the Ombudsperson Institution.

This activity was implemented within the project ’Promoting human rights and non-discrimination principles at the local level- II’, implemented by the Council of Europe Office in Pristina and funded by UNMIK.   

*All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.