European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI): States should sanction the use of hate speech, while safeguarding freedom of expression, says Council of Europe anti-racism commission | Council of Europe

Strasbourg, 21 March 2016 – Encouraging speedy reactions by public figures to hate speech, promoting self-regulation of media, raising awareness of the dangerous consequences of hate speech, withdrawing financial and other support from political parties that actively use hate speech and criminalising its most extreme manifestations, while respecting freedom of expression, are among the general policy recommendations issued today by the Council of Europe’s anti-racism commission.