On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, a two‑day peer‑to‑peer training on qualifying and documenting bias‑motivated offences was held in Chisinau, bringing together 25 police officers from the central region of the Republic of Moldova and representatives of civil society organisations from the Jewish and LGBTI communities.

Organised by the Council of Europe in collaboration with the General Police Inspectorate, the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance diversity and equality within law enforcement. The training aims to build a more inclusive police service, improve the prevention of hate‑motivated incidents, and strengthen protection for vulnerable groups at national and local levels.

Police officers, as first responders to hate‑motivated incidents, they are responsible for ensuring that victims receive protection, that cases are properly documented, and that perpetrators are held accountable. Their actions directly influence public trust in institutions and contribute to building safer, more cohesive communities.

The sessions examined prominent bias‑motivated offences and cases of discrimination in the Republic of Moldova, including those driven by prejudice against race, religion, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Law enforcement professionals shared their experiences in handling such cases, highlighting the impact these crimes have—not only on direct victims but also on entire communities, where they foster fear, division, and insecurity.

Participants discussed how expressions of hatred, whether through graffiti or social media, can escalate into more severe forms of violence if left unchecked. The training emphasised the importance of prompt and professional intervention by police and judicial institutions to prevent such escalation and mitigate destructive consequences.

Police officers were trained to recognise the constitutive elements of bias‑motivated incidents, in line with CM/Rec(2024)4’s emphasis on proper qualification and documentation.

The programme combined legal analysis with hands‑on exercises based on real cases registered in the Republic of Moldova.

Through real stories shared by civil society representatives, police officers gained deeper insight into the vulnerabilities faced by minority groups. This understanding equips them to respond to cases without prejudice and with greater sensitivity. Officers also learned to recognise the constitutive elements of bias‑motivated incidents and developed practical skills for working directly with victims.

The sessions were led by law enforcement professionals who had completed specialised “training of trainers” programmes within the first phase of the project launched in 2021, and now serve as focal points within their inspectorates and trainers for the General Police Inspectorate.

This event was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova for the period 2025-2028, through the Council of Europe project "Enhancing diversity and equality in the Republic of Moldova – phase II", in collaboration with the General Police Inspectorate.