Responding to Anti-Christian Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Christian Communities

About the event

On 26 and 27 May 2026, ODIHR will organize a regional workshop in Rome focused on responding to anti-Christian hate crimes and addressing the security needs of Christian communities in Western Europe.

The workshop will bring together representatives of Christian communities, civil society organizations, international experts and State authorities from Austria, France, Italy and Spain to discuss current challenges, share good practices and strengthen co-operation on preventing and responding to anti-Christian hate crimes.

The event builds on ODIHR’s mandate to support OSCE participating States in addressing intolerance and discrimination, including against Christians, and promoting freedom of religion or belief.

The workshop will also present ODIHR’s publication Understanding Anti-Christian Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Christian Communities: A Practical Guide, which outlines practical steps governments and communities can take together to improve security and responses to hate crimes targeting Christian communities.

What will be discussed?

Participants will discuss:

• Current challenges related to anti-Christian hate crimes in Western Europe
• Practical ways to improve prevention, reporting and responses to anti-Christian hate crimes
• Security needs of Christian communities and co-operation with law enforcement
• Good practices from OSCE participating States
• Role of data collection, community engagement and public institutions in responding to hate crimes

The programme will include panel discussions, case studies and workshops focused on practical responses and co-operation between State authorities and Christian communities.

Participants

The workshop will gather representatives of Christian communities, civil society organizations, State authorities, law enforcement officials and international experts from across Western Europe.

Why this matters

Anti-Christian hate crimes can have serious consequences not only for individuals directly targeted, but also for the wider sense of security, inclusion and freedom of religion or belief within communities. Attacks against places of worship, cemeteries and religious figures can create fear, deepen division and undermine social cohesion.

ODIHR’s work aims to support participating States and communities in developing effective, rights-based and co-operative responses to hate crimes and intolerance affecting all religious communities.

Participation

This workshop is organized by invitation only.