Trilateral round table on hate crime and hate speech in the digital environment
- Details
- Published: November 29, 2024
On 14 and 15 November 2020, the IRZ, the National Institute of Justice of the Republic of Moldova, the National Institute of Magistrates of Romania and the Ministries of Justice of both countries held the above round table in Bucharest, Romania.
Participants from Romania, the Republic of Moldova and Germany emphasized the urgency of the topic in view of the increasing spread of hate speech on the internet. They highlighted how growing political polarization and the role of disinformation and hate speech in the political context are weighing on the social climate and stressed the need for increased cooperation, but also for innovative solutions in dealing with hate crimes and hate speech.
Around 45 public prosecutors and police officers from the three countries took the opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss current challenges, as well as to share innovative solutions for the prevention and prosecution of hate crimes and hate speech in the digital space.
The discussions focused on the legal, practical and societal challenges of combating and prosecuting cyber hate crimes and hate speech, and techniques for investigating and preserving evidence of online hate crimes. In addition, difficulties related to international mutual legal assistance and cross-border cooperation, cooperation with internet service providers and European legislation were discussed.
Another key item on the agenda was victim protection and the role of civil society, with reports on experiences of anti-Semitic hate speech, discrimination and hate speech against Roma, and the specific problems of the LGBTQ community in the digital space.
Another trilateral roundtable will take place in December 2024 in Chișinău, Republic of Moldova.