Partners NewsA bulwark against hate crime
Linked to changes in the social, economic and technological landscape, the emphatic increase of hate crime and hate speech incidents, is undeniable. The main driver is undoubtedly the growth in the availability and use of the Internet and social networks, where, protected by a feeling of anonymity and impunity, hate circulates freely. Hate crime and hate speech are part of an area of criminality, which both relates to and feeds off each other: hate speech often leads to hate crime and vice versa. This leads us to the “Pyramid of Hate”, which illustrates the prevalence of bias, hate and oppression in our society. Like a pyramid, it is organised in escalating levels of attitudes and behaviours that grow in complexity, with the upper levels being supported by the lower ones. If people or institutions treat behaviours on the lower levels as “normal”, it will result in the actions at the next level becoming more acceptable; starting from acts of prejudice and discrimination, all the way to bias-motivated violence.
With this in mind and in an effort to better prepare law enforcement officers, enhance their response and equip them with the necessary tools to combat hate crime, the Hellenic Police Academy, with the cooperation of the State Security Division of the Hellenic Police, organised CEPOL Activity 47/2024 on Hate Crime.
The activity was implemented during 1-4 October 2024, in the city of Veria, Greece, with contributions of experts from EU Member States such as France, Spain, Germany and Greece, along with members of academia, the private sector, NGOs, as well as experts from the European Commission, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
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27 participants, from 17 EU Member States, as well as 2 participants from Europol and Ukraine attended the activity. The participants were actively engaged and were providing their respective national and international approaches and experiences, transferring knowledge, identifying gaps and limitations, and exchanging best practices.
While hate crime can take on many forms, the organising team tried to incorporate as much as possible in the curriculum, giving a spherical view of the phenomenon, sharing information on topics such as LGBTQI+ hate crime, ethnic and disability hate crime, anti-Semitism / anti-Muslim propaganda, and providing the participants with valuable tools, tips and best practices, to help them recognise the roots of the problem, improve their outlook on the phenomenon and combat its repercussions.
The learning strategy included working groups, workshops, brain storming sessions and plenary discussions; it also involved the use of interactive and gaming apps.
The delivery of the training approached the subject matter, both from the point of view of the victims, as well as from that of law enforcement and prosecutors, offering unique perspectives to participants.
Following a blended learning approach while maximising efficiency and expertise, some of the presentations were delivered online. This allowed to bring some of the best experts from across Europe, each at their respective field and strengthen the holistic approach of the training.
Both participants and experts expressed their appreciation for the organisation and the added value of the activity.
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Feedback from participants and experts:
"The course was highly informative and enriching, providing me with invaluable insights. I greatly deepened my knowledge of hate crime, and the opportunity to view this issue from different perspectives—especially through the lens of challenges, shared by participants from across Europe—was particularly impactful. This experience will undoubtedly enhance my work as an academic teacher and allow me to better and more comprehensively cascade this knowledge to the police officers I train. Thank you once again for organising such a valuable and well-structured program ".
(participant from Poland)
“What an amazing experience! The goal of the programme was exceeded, both by the highly professional training and by the people who participated. It was an absolute pleasure to learn and exchange views with practitioners, experts and participants alike”.
(expert from Germany)
“The training demonstrated the profound importance of CEPOL. Several days were devoted to discussing the fight against hate crime, with representatives from 18 national police forces speaking a common language. Hate crime is an evil that must be fought together, through the exchange of experiences and good practices ". (participant from Poland)
“Working alongside colleagues at CEPOL, police and law enforcement, was an absolute privilege and is a testament to the power of unity and dedication. CEPOL Activity 47/2024 “Hate Crime” absolutely proved to me that our shared commitment to justice and community safety towards victims of hate crime not only strengthens our bond but also inspires us to strive for excellence… a conveyor belt of excellence! As we look to the future, I am confident our collaboration will continue to evolve, embracing new technologies and strategies to protect and serve our communities. Together, we are not just colleagues; we are a family, united by a common purpose and driven by the unwavering belief that we can make a difference!”. (expert from the United Kingdom)
