The 2nd edition of the Toolkit for Police Officers has just been published by the Council of Europe’s Roma and Travellers Team. The Toolkit focuses on Council of Europe standards on racially motivated crimes and non-discrimination of Roma and Travellers.
This 2nd edition includes interactive icons and hyperlinks which will facilitate the use of the Toolkit and its relevant annexes and various materials. The publication also includes updated relevant case-law of the European Court of Human Rights with the aim of supporting police officers in better understanding, investigating and prosecuting human rights violations. Roma and Traveller communities suffer from widespread and persisting discrimination and antigypsyism – recognised as a specific form of racism fuelled by prejudice and stereotypes – and they are victims of various other forms of discrimination, including harassment, hate speech and hate crimes in many Council of Europe member states.
Police officers are at the forefront of the justice system, as they are among the first to come in contact with the victims of hate speech, harassment, racially motivated crimes and other forms of human rights violations and are therefore pivotal to Roma and Traveller communities securing adequate and rightful access to justice.
All police officers, from the lowest to the highest rank, are expected to be fully informed of the latest developments in human rights standards and practices and to apply them in their everyday work, a truly demanding task even for human rights professionals.
The 2nd edition of the Toolkit was updated by human rights lawyers, with the support of the Roma and Travellers Team of the Council of Europe.
Finally, the Toolkit can be used as an awareness raising and educational tool as it includes proposals for training events and information sessions with/for police officers and other law enforcement officials.
Download the 2nd edition of the Toolkit
To enjoy the Interactivity of the e-Toolkit and its functions, please download and save the document on your computer.
