How to report hate speech instances

How to report hate speech instances

 

Hate speech can be a form of hate crime, though not all countries criminalize hate speech. To know whether it is considered a crime in your country, contact your local victim support service.

1. Hate Speech Legislation 

The EU guarantees victims’ rights through The Victims’ Rights Directive, which outlines six fundamental rights available to all victims of crimes occurring in any Member State. You can familiarize yourselves with these rights by clicking here.

 

The Racial Equality Directive (Council Directive 2000/43/EC) emphasizes that individuals who face discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin should have sufficient legal protection. This directive aims to ensure equal treatment regardless of racial or ethnic background.

To tackle racism, xenophobia, and other forms of intolerance, the EU’s High-Level Group has created the “Code of Conduct on countering illegal hate speech online.” This initiative involves major social media companies like Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter, and YouTube, enabling users to report illegal hate speech more effectively.

Legislation on hate crimes varies across different countries. For specific information on hate speech laws in your country, it is again advisable to contact your local victim support service.

2. Actions to take if you experience/witness hate speech

If you come across or are subjected to hate speech online, most social media platforms provide options to report such content. Here are some videos demonstrating how YouTube and Facebook manage hate speech:

 

Tackling Hate Speech on YouTube 

Tackling Hate Speech on Facebook

 

Should you be a victim of a hate crime, you can report it to the police either by calling them or visiting in person. If the crime is happening at the moment, use the emergency number; otherwise, use the non-emergency number to file your report. Even if you choose not to report the crime immediately, you can do so later with the help of your local victim support organization.

 

Additionally, according to the Victim’s Rights Directive, you have the right to be informed about Restorative Justice procedures available in your country. Restorative Justice (RJ) offers a victim-centered approach to addressing hate crimes, focusing on healing and reparation for the victims while also fostering accountability and understanding in offenders. Here’s how it works and supports victims:

 

3. Victim Empowerment: RJ processes allow victims to actively participate in resolving the harm caused by the crime. This can involve direct dialogue with the offender, mediated by a trained facilitator. This process helps victims express their feelings, ask questions, and receive acknowledgments of harm from the offender, which can be crucial for emotional healing.
4. Healing and Reparation: RJ aims to provide victims with a sense of closure and reparation. It allows for personal narratives to be heard and validated, which can significantly reduce the feelings of isolation and trauma often experienced after hate crimes. Victims can receive apologies and assurances from offenders, which can help in rebuilding their sense of security and trust.
5. Offender Accountability: For offenders, RJ offers a chance to understand the impact of their actions directly from the victims. This personal interaction can lead to genuine remorse and a commitment to change, reducing the likelihood of reoffending. It also educates offenders about the broader societal impact of hate crimes, fostering a deeper understanding of the harm caused by their prejudices.
6. Community Involvement: RJ involves the community in the healing process, helping to address the root causes of hate crimes and fostering a supportive environment for both victims and offenders. This community-centric approach helps in building resilience against hate speech and crimes by promoting inclusivity and understanding.
7. Policy and Awareness: Initiatives like the ‘Let’s Go By Talking’ project emphasize policy changes and raise awareness about the benefits of RJ. They aim to integrate RJ practices into the judicial system and provide training to law enforcement and other stakeholders to ensure that victims of hate crimes receive the support they need and deserve.

 

3. General procedure of reporting hate speech crimes (varies across countries)

When you report a crime, you will be required to provide specific details such as:

• The date, time, and location or platform where the crime occurred.
• Information on whether you know the perpetrator.
• Information on any witnesses to the crime, including their identities if known.

You will receive a crime report number, and a police investigator will be assigned to your case. This investigator will conduct an investigation, gather evidence, and interview witnesses. The assigned officer will manage your case through to the trial phase if the suspect is apprehended and prosecuted.

You will need to give statements about the crime and its impact on you. You will be informed about your rights as a victim and what to expect if your case goes to trial. Notably, you have the right to legal assistance in all EU member states and the right to an interpreter if the trial is conducted outside your home country.

 

4. Local Support

If you have been impacted by a hate crime, there are various ways to reach out to support services for assistance or information:

• Local Support: Get in touch with your nearest Victim Support team.
• Police Report: Report the crime at your local police station.
• Victim Support Helpline: Call the 116 006 telephone number, which is available in Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Sweden.

The 116 006 helpline offers information on victims’ rights, emotional support, and referrals to suitable support organizations. It serves as a single access point providing details about local police and criminal justice procedures, compensation and insurance issues, and other resources for crime victims.

Furthermore, most European countries have established reporting mechanisms for hate speech provided by national authorities and NGOs.

 

Sources:

Victim Support Europe: https://victim-support.eu/help-for-victims/info-on-specific-types-of-victims/hate-crime/

Let’s Go by Talking: https://www.letsgobytalking.eu/

European Forum for Restorative Justice: https://www.euforumrj.org/en/restorative-justice-hate-crime-and-migrant-integration

European commission. (2017). The Victims’ Rights Directive. file:///C:/Users/Office/Downloads/factsheet_victims_rights_2017_web_en_F6860A5C-FF7B-4684-E5B2E563B37D403D_43139%20(2).pdf

EUR-Lex. (2000).  Council Directive 2000/43/EC. Official Journal of the European Communities. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32000L0043

 

5. How to report hate speech instances in Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Poland and Turkey

Bulgaria

• Police: You can report instances of hate speech to your local police station. They will guide you through the process and provide the necessary support.
• Prosecutor’s Office: Filing a complaint with the local prosecutor’s office is another way to ensure your case is officially registered and investigated.
• Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bulgaria: This organization actively monitors hate speech and can provide assistance and support. They offer free legal aid and can guide you on how to report hate speech effectively.
• Amnesty International Bulgaria: The initiative works on various human rights issues, including hate speech. They can provide support and guidance on how to report hate speech.

 

Sources: Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bulgaria:  https://www.bghelsinki.org/bg/home

Amnesty International Bulgaria. https://www.amnesty.bg/

 

North Macedonia

• Police: Report hate speech incidents to your local police station. They will handle the investigation and provide protection if necessary.
• Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia: This organization offers support and advice on dealing with hate speech. They can help you understand your rights and the process of reporting.
• Online Platform: The website www.govornaomraza.mk allows individuals to report hate speech incidents online. This platform is monitored by the Helsinki Committee.

 

Sources: Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia. https://mhc.org.mk/

Report Hate Speech Online (Говор на омраза). https://www.govornaomraza.mk/

 

Poland

• Police: You can report hate speech at any local police station. They will document your complaint and initiate an investigation.
• Never Again Association: This organization works extensively on issues related to hate speech and discrimination. They offer support and can assist you in reporting incidents.
• National Consulting Centre for Victims of Hate Crimes: Contact this center for legal advice and assistance in reporting hate speech.

Sources: Never Again Association. https://www.nigdywiecej.org/en/

National Consulting Centre for Victims of Hate Crimes (Niebieska Linia): https://www.niebieskalinia.pl/

 

Turkey

• Police: Visit your local police station to report incidents of hate speech. They will take your statement and begin an investigation.
• Human Rights Association (IHD): This organization provides support for victims of hate speech and can assist you in the reporting process.
• Equality Institution of Turkey: This institution handles cases of discrimination and hate speech and can provide support and guidance.

 

Sources: Human Rights Association (IHD). https://ihd.org.tr/en/

Equality Institution of Turkey. https://www.tihek.gov.tr/

 

How to report a hate speech instance to any organization/institution/NGO that can assist you but does not address hate speech reporting directly:

• Contact the Committee by email, phone, in person or through an online form if available
• Provide detailed information of the incident (date, time, location, description of the incident, information about the perpetrator, witnesses if any, impact on you)
• Include supporting evidence if any
• Request assistance (legal advice/support services)

 

 

 

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.