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Hatred, exclusion and verbal violence pose a growing threat to our democracies. Hate speech violates human rights, corrodes the culture of debate within our democratic, pluralistic societies and drives people out of the public arena. Words are often followed by deeds. Actively combatting hate and ensuring that the law is enforced online just as elsewhere, while at the same time defending freedom of speech, are key challenges for political institutions and civil society across Europe.
While hate speech is not a purely online phenomenon, the internet offers a significant echo chamber, whether in public forums or in closed groups. We must not accept this. We must work resolutely to ensure that legal limits are observed, including online, and to promote non-violent, democratic debate. This requires a coordinated effort by governments and civil society in the 47 member states of the Council of Europe.
As a guardian of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, the Council of Europe has a central role to play in tackling hate speech. Germany aims to support and advance the Council of Europe’s work during its Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers (from 18 November 2020 to 21 May 2021).
What part does the Council of Europe play in the fight against hate speech? What must be done to continue developing a Europe-wide strategy? What has been learnt in the member states with regard to regulation, supervision, law enforcement and political education? What work is being done by European civil society organisations?
Hate speech has many faces, and the counter-strategies must be just as multifaceted. We will unpack this toxic phenomenon, tackle its individual components and put together a package of counter-strategies.
Join us on 18 February 2021 at the online conference Unboxing Hate Speech: European Impulses for Respect and Solidarity on the Web, organised by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, the German Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection as part of Germany’s Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
The conference will be live-streamed on this page. You can also use the instant messaging feature to engage in discussion and respond to polls.
The workspaces will be held via Zoom and access will be restricted. Participation is by invitation only.
Working session and networking event with European civil society representatives
(Closed event)
Democratic civil society across Europe shows that hate speech has no place in our societies. From counselling for victims to political education, from youth outreach and human rights work to organised counter-speech online, civil society has a wide range of approaches.
A working session and networking event will allow civil society representatives from the member states of the Council of Europe to share their experiences fighting hate speech, discuss common challenges and best practices and develop recommendations for European policy makers.
The public conference on 18 February 2021 will build on the results of their discussions.
Moderation: Hanna Gleiß, DAS NETTZ, and Simone Rafael, Amadeu Antonio Foundation
Welcome!
Opening speech by Martin Schulz, head of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Unboxing Hate Speech on the Web A priority of Germany’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
Chaired discussion with
Christine Lambrecht, Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection
and
Heiko Maas, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
Moderation: Sabrina N’Diaye, TV presenter and journalist
Towards democratic coexistence How the Council of Europe is fighting hate speech
Keynote speech by Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe
United against hate speech Challenges and counter-strategies
Panel discussion with:
Karoline Edtstadler, Federal Minister for the EU and Constitution, Austria
Snežana Samardžić-Marković, Director General of DG Democracy, Council of Europe
Markus Reinisch, Vice President Public Policy Europe, Middle East and Africa, Facebook
Julia Mozer, Communication and Policy Officer, CEJI - A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe
Lunch break
What can we do to fight hate speech?
Break (with a brief yoga session by Anne Pütz for anyone who needs a little relaxation)
Wrap-up What are the next steps at European level?
Flashlights: what shall we take with us?
Rita Hagl-Kehl, Parliamentary State Secretary for Justice and Consumer Protection
Jeroen Schokkenbroek, Director of Anti-Discrimination in the Directorate General of Democracy, Council of Europe
Web hall meeting with
Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office and Special Representative of the Federal Government for the German Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
End of conference
There will be musical acts by Tal Arditi.
