The following is a breakdown of police recorded figures by bias motivation.
In 2021, the Spanish National Office for the Fight against Hate Crimes (ONDOD) of the Ministry of Interior finalized a hate crime victimization survey for the period from 18 December 2020 to 31 March 2021. The aim of the research was to collect information on hate crime and record the experiences of hate crime victims. While more than 700 persons responded to the survey, only around 400 responses contributed to the statistical report, which focused on respondents who reported being the victim of a hate crime in the last five years. This selection was applied to ensure a more accurate understanding of the problem and allow for the implementation of measures to reduce victimization. Survey questions explored victims' perceptions of hate crime and efforts to combat such crimes in Spain, as well as the impact of hate crime on their lives. Respondents were also asked about their treatment by police and, where applicable, their reasons for not reporting a hate crime to the authorities.
In 2021, the Ministry of the Interior also developed a second Action Plan to combat hate crimes (2022-2024). To ensure the Plan's applicability, the Ministry drew on contributions from state and regional police forces, the specialized Prosecutor's Office and civil society organizations (CSOs). The main pillar of the Plan is to assist and support victims of hate crime, including through the following "Lines of Action":
- Assisting and supporting victims of hate crime.
- Strengthening the co-ordination mechanisms of law enforcement authorities, including with other public and private institutions.
- Preventing hate crimes by developing tools that improve the effectiveness of investigations, in line with the current plans of the Secretary of State for Security.
- Creating groups to combat hate crimes within the General Information Police Station and Provincial Information Brigades of the National Police, as well as in the civil guard and its regional units.
- Promoting the training, sensitization and awareness of police in combating hate crimes.
- Encouraging participation of and collaboration with CSOs, allowing for sustained improvements in combating hate crimes.
- Increasing the knowledge, tools and instruments available to the law enforcement authorities in combating hate crimes.
- Allocating adequate human resources to the National Office to Fight Hate Crimes.
The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration is developing a Strategic Framework for citizenship and inclusion policies. The Framework includes policies to prevent, counter and raise awareness of xenophobia, racism and intolerance, as well as policies to provide hate crime victims with the necessary support and assistance.
This category includes anti-Muslim and anti-Christian hate crimes as well as other hate crimes based on religion and belief, except for anti-Semitic hate crimes.
This category includes both hate crimes based on sexual orientation and those based on gender identity.
This category includes 35 hate crimes motivated by bias based on age and 21 by bias based on illness.
ODIHR recognizes Spain's efforts to conduct a hate crime victimization survey and adopt a comprehensive hate crime action plan focusing on hate crime victim support. However, based on the available information, it observes that Spain would benefit from strengthening the inclusion of, collaboration with, and facilitating the work of civil society working on hate crime and with victims.
ODIHR recalls that in Ministerial Council Decisions 9/09 and 13/06, OSCE participating States committed to taking a proactive and inclusive approach to working with civil society to address hate crime. ODIHR stands ready to support Spain in meeting its relevant commitments through the provision of comprehensive resources and assistance.