Racist and xenophobic hate crimes range from graffiti to physical assault and even murder. These crimes target people because of their race, ethnicity, language or migration status and send a wider message of exclusion to whole communities.
ODIHR monitors racist incidents across the OSCE region to increase understanding of the issue and assist governments in their response. It supports authorities in drafting effective hate crime laws, trains officials and collaborates with civil society groups that monitor and report hate crimes.
Racist violence must be addressed with both legislation and education. ODIHR’s work focuses on ensuring that states act on their commitments while strengthening cooperation with partners, such as the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency and the Council of Europe.
Through its guidance, data collection and support for reforms, ODIHR helps participating States combat racism and xenophobia and protect the rights of all.
