International recommendation

Hate speech and hate crimes

Issue date:
Human rights body:
Human Rights Committee (CCPR)
Themes:
Hate speech and hate crimePolicing and the judicial system
Relevant CCPR articles:
Art. 2 – Non-discrimination, implementation and effective remedyArt. 20 – Prohibition of propaganda advocating war and hate speech Art. 26 – Equality before the law
Source:
CCPR/C/NOR/CO/7, para. 17

Recommended measures (4)

Measure
Measure type:
Policies, strategies, and action plans
Responsible Ministries:
Ministry of Justice and Public SecurityMinistry of Culture

The State party should take effective measures to prevent hate speech and hate crimes in accordance with the Covenant, including by increasing efforts to promote tolerance, ensuring full implementation of the Strategy against Hate Speech (2016–2020) and the creation of hate crime investigation units in all districts.

Measure
Measure types:
Statistics and researchPractices and guidelines
Responsible Ministry:
Ministry of Justice and Public Security

The State party should streamline the national registration of reports of hate crimes and hate speech and systematize the regular collection of data on these crimes, including the number of reported cases, investigations launched, prosecutions and convictions.

Measure
Measure types:
Awareness-raising and disseminationPractices and guidelines
Responsible Ministry:
Ministry of Justice and Public Security

The State party should encourage the reporting of hate crimes and criminal hate speech and ensure that these crimes are promptly identified and registered as such.

Measure
Measure types:
Training and capacity buildingPractices and guidelines
Responsible Ministry:
Ministry of Justice and Public Security

The State party should strengthen the investigation capacity of law enforcement officials on hate crimes and criminal hate speech, including on the Internet, and ensure all cases are systematically investigated, that perpetrators are prosecuted and punished and that appropriate compensation is awarded to the victims.