On 4-7 August 2020 the CoE organised advanced 4-day training on hate crimes to specialise prosecutors dealing with crimes committed on intolerance grounds. The training program in addition to legal part as well as psychological aspects of discriminatory behaviour, characteristics of perpetrator and victim of the crime, and special techniques for creating a victim friendly environment.

The activities are a result of the longstanding cooperation of the Council of Europe and General Prosecutor’s Office. The cooperation has contributed to the introduction of specialisation of prosecutors dealing with crimes committed on intolerance grounds. Specifically, the decree of General Prosecutor entering into force from 1 September 2020 authorises to deal with the crimes committed on intolerance grounds only those prosecutors who passed comprehensive training program on investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.

The event was organised as part of the Council of Europe co-operation project “Fighting Discrimination, Hate Crime and Hate Speech in Georgia”. The project is conducted with the support of the Danish neighbourhood program in Georgia (DANEP) under the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for Georgia.