Intersectionality in addressing hate crime and providing support to victims

People may be targeted in hate crime attacks because of multiple aspects of their identity. Their experience of harm, access to justice and support needs may also be shaped by how these characteristics intersect.

To help address this challenge, ODIHR is developing practical guidance on applying an intersectional approach to hate crime and support for victims. The guidance will help policymakers, criminal justice professionals and victim-support providers better understand and respond to the experiences of people affected by multiple forms of prejudice.

ODIHR is bringing together experts and practitioners from Central and Eastern Europe for a consultation meeting in Zagreb. Their discussions will inform the guidance and help identify practical ways to reflect intersectionality in hate crime laws, policies, data collection, criminal justice responses and victim-support systems.

The meeting follows an earlier consultation held in Warsaw in June 2026 and is part of ODIHR’s partnership with the EEA and Norway Grants, which supports efforts to strengthen human rights, democracy and the rule of law across Europe.

Participants will discuss:

• Defining intersectionality in the context of hate crime
• Recognizing intersectional targeting and its impact on victims
• Improving access to justice, reporting and individual needs assessments
• Strengthening co-operation between civil society and public authorities
• Addressing structural inequalities and bias within criminal justice and victim-support systems

The meeting will also examine the implementation of the Sabalić v. Croatia judgment of the European Court of Human Rights as a practical case study.

The discussions and recommendations will contribute directly to ODIHR’s forthcoming practical guidance.

The meeting will bring together approximately 20 national experts and practitioners from Central and Eastern Europe, reflecting a range of professional backgrounds and perspectives.

The working language will be English.

For further information, please contact Tomasz Filipiak, ODIHR Associate Project Officer, at tomasz.filipiak@odihr.pl.