Cyberviolence series: Hate Speech and Restrictive Measures

Speakers

  • Menno ETTEMA, Council of Europe, Programme Manager,
    Anti-Discrimination Department, No Hate Speech and Cooperation Unit: Hate speech standards and action of the Council of Europe
  • Albin DEARING, Project Manager, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA): Hate speech online and focus on victims’ rights
  • Katrin NYMAN METCALF, Cybersecurity East Project expert, Estonia: Hate speech regulation practice with focus on restrictive measures

  Moderator 

  • Giorgi JOKHADZE, Project Manager, Cybereast project, Cybercrime Programme Office

   This webinar is organized in the framework of joint European Union and Council of Europe CyberEast project aiming to support cyber resilience of the Eastern Partnership countries, together with CybersecurityEast project.

 Language: English only

 Outline

 Date and time

  • Friday, 26 February 2021 | 12:00pm CET

 Duration and format

  • 1h 30 min: 45' presentations and dedicated questions + 45' general discussions

 Audience

  • Particularly useful for officials and policy makers responsible for hate spreech, as well as human rights specialists, criminal justice authorities (judges, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies), non-governmental organisations and researchers/academia with an interest in the subject.
  • This activity of the CyberEast project is open for participation to other beneficiary countries in different regions covered by the C-PROC.
PRESENTATIONS

Menno ETTEMA, Council of Europe, Programme Manager, Anti-Discrimination Department, No Hate Speech and Cooperation Unit: Hate speech standards and action of the Council of Europe

Albin DEARING, Project Manager, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA): Hate speech online and focus on victims’ rights

Katrin NYMAN METCALF, Cybersecurity East Project expert, Estonia: Hate speech regulation practice with focus on restrictive measures

DETAILS

Background

As proposed in the Council of Europe Cybercrime Convention Committee (T-CY) Mapping study on cyberviolence: “Cyberviolence is the use of computer systems to cause, facilitate, or threaten violence against individuals that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering and may include the exploitation of the individual’s circumstances, characteristics or vulnerabilities.”

This definition, although still being a work on progress, suggests an extreme breadth of topics that are covered by the concept of cyberviolence. Hate speech online, although identified as one of the forms of cyberviolence by the T-CY, still remains a controversial concept against the general background of the freedom of speech and free Internet.

At the same time, there is undoubtedly a need for action on hate speech online. Perhaps, very recent (January 2021) examples of alleged incitement to violence that led to physical assault on legislative institutions in the United States, causing unfortunate casualties, may be one of the potential examples of the breadth and impact of the problem.

Objectives

The purpose of this webinar is to discuss current state of hate speech expressed through the use of information and communications technology, and to identify effective and balanced ways in which restrictive measures can address it.

The webinar is designed to encourage an interactive participation, and to facilitate information-sharing among participants, exchanging relevant experiences and good practices, and discussing challenges and opportunities.

Expected outcomes

  • Present relevant European standards on hate speech and their current relevance/applicability to online environment;
  • Identify and discuss possible response and restrictive measures that can be used to combat hate speech online;
  • Discuss roles and responsibilities of various institutions and actors, including law enforcement, in deterring and handling hate speech online;
  • Present good practices in dealing with hate speech online while respecting individual rights and guarantees.

Resources

  • The Council of Europe maintains a dedicated page on cyberviolence, with sections on:

      - Legislation on cyberviolence;

      - Inventory of initiatives, policies, strategies on cyberviolence;

      - Resources on cyberviolence.