Hate Crime Training for Maltese Police: Train-the-trainer Course

Police play a key role in efforts to address hate crime.

When equipped with the tools and knowledge to recognize, identify and record hate crime cases, police are able to investigate them effectively and ensure that hate crime victims receive appropriate support and protection.

ODIHR’s three-day workshop will train Maltese police to recognize and work with hate crime cases and support hate crime victims by following the Office’s Training Against Hate Crimes for Law Enforcement (TAHCLE) programme. The implementation of the TAHCLE programme forms part of Malta’s National Action Plan against Racism.

Participants will begin by exploring the nature and extent of bias and prejudice in Malta, as well as the impact on victims and their communities. They will learn to identify and investigate hate crimes in line with Malta’s recently updated hate crime legislation. On the final day, participants will have the opportunity to practise delivering the training content to their colleagues before receiving feedback and training tips.

Why is it important to address hate crimes?

OSCE participating States have recognized that hate crimes pose a threat to security and, if not properly addressed, may give rise to conflict and violence on a wider scale if not properly addressed.

Hate crimes are especially harmful because they target victims simply for being who they are. When hate crimes are investigated and prosecuted as such, victims and their communities receive a clear message that their efforts to report hate-motivated attacks are not in vain and that the criminal justice system will provide redress for the harm caused. ODIHR’s Training Against Hate Crimes for Law Enforcement (TAHCLE) programme helps to ensure that police across the OSCE region are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and investigate hate crimes wherever and whenever they occur.

Participation in this event is by invitation only.