EU proposes initiative to criminalize hate speech, hate crime

BRUSSELS

The European Commission proposed an initiative Thursday to criminalize hate speech.

The EU executive body presented the initiative to extend the list of “EU crimes” as a first step in laying the legal basis to criminalize hate speech and hate crime on the EU level to set minimum rules, definitions and sanctions for all member states.

“We need a strong response to the challenges posed by hate speech and hate crime across the EU,” said Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders. “Today's initiative is an important step towards a more effective European response to such threats against pluralism and inclusiveness. We won't allow such phenomenon to weaken our democracies.”

Different economic, social and technological developments, including the coronavirus pandemic, have led to a steady rise in hate speech and hate crimes, while the differences in national legislations cannot cope with the fact that the crimes spread across borders, mostly via the internet, according to the European Commission.

If the European Parliament gives consent and EU member states unanimously approve the initiative, hate crime and hate speech will be added to the list of EU crimes that enables the European Commission to propose a draft of EU legislation.