"The list of crimes in EU legislation should be extended to hate crime and hate speech to ensure that everywhere in Europe, we can prosecute such crimes impacting the fundamental rights of people living in European cities and regions." Aleksandra Dulkiewicz made these remarks when discussing her opinion on 'Extending the list of EU crimes to hate speech and hate crimes' during a CIVEX Commission meeting. Dulkiewicz added that the only response to hate speech and hate crime - a fundamental threat to a democratic society – is the creation of comprehensive legal strategy to prevent and prosecute.
Dulkiewicz who serves as the Mayor of Gdańsk said that hate speech and hate crimes are not abstract terms. "Crimes inspired by hate can lead to fatal consequences leading to bloodshed. My predecessor mayor Pawel Adamowicz became a fatal victim to a concentrated and extended campaign of hate. The degree of polarisation that led to his death demonstrates how a situation can get out of control. There is a thin line between verbal and physical violence." Mayor Dulkiewicz stressed the need to condemn situations where hate speech promotes conflict saying that the first step is the strong opposition of brutal language used in public debate.
The CoR Rapporteur also spoke on the role of Local and Regional Authorities (LRAs) to fight hate speech and hate crimes. "LRAs should play a more central role in overcoming obstacles to reporting hate crimes. We should promote good practices and cooperation to support victims with the involvement of police and local authorities." Dulkiewicz also spoke on the importance of education and stressed that European citizens must be sufficiently educated and equipped with interpersonal skills to know when their rights are breached.
Speaking on the online environment, the mayor said "The internet and social media contribute to the fact that hate speech and hate crimes are no longer local phenomenon but a global threat. Their effective prosecution must therefore have a cross border dimension. We need legislation to combat hate speech in digital services. The internet is not a law free zone. The virtual space can't turn into a lawless space."
Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award
The CoR had created the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award for local champions of freedom and solidarity and the fight against intolerance, oppression and xenophobia. Nominations for the 2022 award are now open. Read more here: https://cor.europa.eu/en/news/Pages/-MPAA-launching-second-edition.aspx
The award is a partnership between the City of Gdańsk, the European Committee of the Regions, which Mr Adamowicz was a member of, and the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN), which the City of Gdańsk joined under the mayorship of Mr Adamowicz.