On 8–9 July, thirty police officers from Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine participated in a two-day training session aiming at strengthening law enforcement’s responses to hate crimes targeting LGBTI persons.

The training drew on the Council of Europe’s manual “Policing Hate Crime against LGBTI persons: Training for a Professional Police Response” which is adapted in the Ukrainian legal context and made available to the participants.

During the training, participants were provided with the necessary tools and methodology to identify and investigate hate-motivated incidents in accordance with the key Council of Europe standards and European Court of Human Rights case-law. Participants deepened their theoretical knowledge and practical skills in recognising and responding effectively to hate-motivated incidents and violence against minority groups through inclusive, victim-centred policing. Highlighting the importance of sensitive and inclusive communication as an essential skill for victim-centred policing, the police officers were empowered to build trust and cooperation with LGBTI persons and communities affected by discrimination, hate and intolerance.

This training marked an important step forward in strengthening the capacity of law enforcement authorities to ensure the safety, dignity and equal protection of all members of society, and they will act as multipliers in their regions.

The training was organised within the framework of two Council of Europe projects: “Promoting Human Rights and Equality for LGBTI persons-IV” and “Supporting the reform of the national minority legal framework and the resilience of national minorities and Roma in Ukraine”.