Estonia
Estonia reported hate crime data to ODIHR for the 2022 Hate Crime Report.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for collecting hate crime data. The main strategy that addresses hate crime is the "Internal security development plan 2020-2030 (Siseturvalisuse arengukava 2020–2030)."
The Estonian Human Rights Centre, a major civil society organization (CSO) working on hate crimes in Estonia, is engaged in raising awareness, co-operation between CSOs and the state, and lobbying for more effective laws and policies.
In 2017, ODIHR organized a workshop on understanding and improving hate crime recording and data collection and also implemented its Training against Hate Crimes for Law Enforcement (TAHCLE) programme in Estonia. In 2022, ODIHR organized an online workshop to assess national structures and services for hate crime victim support in Estonia, which resulted in a number of recommendations issued to the Estonian authorities.
OFFICIAL DATA REPORTED BY STATES
| Year | Hate crimes recorded by police | Prosecuted | Sentenced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2022 | 13 | Not available | Not available |
| 2021 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2020 | 3 | Not available | Not available |
| 2019 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2018 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2017 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2016 | 15 | Not available | Not available |
| 2015 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2014 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2013 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2012 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2011 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2010 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2009 | 2 | Not available | Not available |
Hate crime recorded by police
The police data on hate crimes are disaggregated by type of crime only.
KEY OBSERVATION
ODIHR recognizes that Estonia reported its hate crime data to ODIHR for the first time since 2016. However, based on the available information, it observes that the law enforcement agencies of Estonia have not recorded the bias motivations behind hate crimes. In addition, ODIHR observes that Estonia would benefit from reviewing its existing legal framework in order to ensure that bias motivation can be effectively acknowledged and appropriate penalties can be imposed on the perpetrators.
ODIHR recalls that in Ministerial Council Decision 9/09, OSCE participating States committed to promptly investigating hate crimes and ensure that the motives of those convicted of hate crimes are acknowledged. To that end, the law enforcement agencies must, first of all, record the bias motivation behind hate crimes. Participating States also committed to enacting specific, tailored legislation to combat hate crimes, providing for effective penalties that take into account the gravity of such crimes. ODIHR stands ready to support Estonia in meeting its relevant commitments through the provision of comprehensive resources and tailored assistance in the area of hate crime recording and data collection as well as providing further legislative guidance and advice.
INCIDENTS REPORTED BY CIVIL SOCIETY
INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
Racist and xenophobic hate crime, Gender-based hate crime
The United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) published relevant recommendations in its "Report from the thirty-eight session: Compilation on Estonia."