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 |
About 2023 Data
-
Authorities in Estonia do not collect statistics about possible hate crime elements in criminal offences.
Hate crime recorded by police
KEY OBSERVATION
Based on the available information, ODIHR observes that the law enforcement agencies and criminal justice authorities of Estonia do not record the bias motivations of hate crimes. In addition, ODIHR observes that Estonia would benefit from reviewing its existing legal framework in order to ensure that bias motivations can be effectively acknowledged and appropriate penalties can be imposed on the perpetrators.
ODIHR recalls that in Ministerial Council Decision 9/09, participating States committed to promptly investigate 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 have 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 by providing further legislative guidance and advice.
INCIDENTS REPORTED BY CIVIL SOCIETY
🛈 Please note that the total number of incidents may be lower than the sum of incidents presented in the breakdown chart above, as some incidents involve multiple bias motivations.
🛈 ODIHR no longer presents descriptions of property attacks in the incident tables below. Data on property attacks are presented in the breakdown charts above. One property attack may target multiple properties or involve multiple types of attack.
Anti-Christian hate crime
| Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Violent attacks against people | OSCE Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights
|
Show info |
Anti-LGBTI hate crime
| Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Violent attacks against people | OSCE Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights
|
Show info |