4-5 October 2023, Kyiv - A training on combating discrimination and hate speech against vulnerable groups improved the skills of 28 Ukrainian police officers. The focus of the activity was related to policing in multicultural societies, inclusive language in communication with citizens, with reference to communication with persons with disabilities. In addition, the participants were introduced to the standards of the Council of Europe in this area, in particular the Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers on combating hate speech (CM/Rec(2022)16).
According to the Committee of Ministers, ‘member States should make available effective and targeted training programmes for all those involved in preventing and combating hate speech, including the members and staff of law-enforcement services, security forces, prosecution services, the judiciary and the personnel of medical services and other public bodies, with a view to enabling them to identify and avoid the use of hate speech, to be sensitive to the needs of persons targeted by hate speech and assist them in seeking redress, to address and report its use by others and to limit its impact on those affected’.
During the training, the participants shared their experiences with cases of discrimination and hate speech, discussed their various modalities, tools to counteract and ensure the observance of human rights.
The second part of the training focused on ensuring rights of persons with disabilities as part of a vulnerable group whose rights are protected by the Article 15 of the European Social Charter. Unfortunately, because of full-scale aggression of Ukraine by Russia, each year more than 25 thousand persons are becoming persons with disabilities. It is important that the police officers are aware of their rights, as well as of good practices in communication with them, that can lead to their adequate protection.
The Council of Europe will continue its support to the national police and through that cooperation contribute to further improvement of the protection of human rights in Ukraine.
This training was organised at the request of the National Police of Ukraine in co-operation and synergy of two Council of Europe projects: Project “Combating hate speech in Ukraine” that is part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Partnership for Good Governance” and Council of Europe project “Enhanced social protection in Ukraine”.
