This website presents data and information submitted by OSCE participating States, civil society and international organizations about hate crime. ODIHR releases the data each year on 16 November – International Tolerance Day. Data collection is the first step in efforts to counter hate crime, and allows for targeted policies and customized support for victims.
Hate crimes are criminal acts motivated by bias or prejudice towards particular groups of people. Hate crimes comprise two elements: a criminal offence and a bias motivation.
A hate crime has taken place when a perpetrator has intentionally targeted an individual or property because of one or more identity traits or expressed hostility towards these identity traits during the crime.
People or property associated with – or even perceived to be a member of – a group that shares an identity trait can also be targets of hate crimes, such as human rights defenders, community centers, or places of worship.
Data collection is the first step towards combating hate crime, as reliable information and statistics are needed to develop targeted policies and customize support for victims.
Across the OSCE, CSOs play a crucial role in monitoring and reporting hate crimes. This is especially important in states that have not introduced a nationwide system for recording hate crimes.
Hate crimes target people for who they are or are perceived to be.
The OSCE recognizes that hate crimes affect the security of individuals, their communities and societies, and can lead to serious security challenges and even conflict. ODIHR has been tasked by participating States to serve as a collection point for information, statistics and legislation on hate crime, and to help develop effective responses to the problem.
Bias motivations can be defined as prejudice, intolerance or hatred directed at a particular group sharing a common identity trait, such as race, ethnicity, language, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, gender or any other identity traits.
ODIHR reports on the following bias motivations in line with its mandate and official reporting by the OSCE’s 57 participating States: