On 8 and 9 November, the Execution Department took part in the launch of the HELP course “Fight against Racism, Xenophobia, Homophobia and Transphobia” which was attended by 17 Romanian prosecutors. This course aims in particular to support the execution by Romania of the ECHR judgment in M.C. and A.C., concerning the authorities’ failure to take into account possible discriminatory motives in the investigation of a homophobic attack.
Gabriela Scutea, General Prosecutor of Romania, and Oana Ezer, Government Agent to the European Court, welcomed the cooperation with the Council of Europe and emphasised the need and importance of such training in ensuring effective investigations into hate-motivated violations of rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.
The seminar further addressed the Council of Europe standards on combatting hate crimes and hate speech against LGBTI persons, the co-operation activities of the Council of Europe in these areas, the relevant case-law of the European Court as well as the best practices of member States, identified in the execution of other similar ECHR judgments.
This event represents a first milestone of a strategic cooperation of the Council of Europe with Romania on preventing and redressing hate crime and hate speech against LGBTI persons.
Thematic factsheet - Effective investigations
