Tackling Hate Crime Through Effective Prosecution

ODIHR’s new training manual on Tackling Hate Crime Through Effective Prosecution converts over a decade of expertise into a hands-on curriculum for prosecutors on recognizing, charging, and litigating hate crimes.

Browse the materials below to learn more about the role of prosecutors in addressing hate crime.

Contact ODIHR’s Hate Crime Team to explore options for implementing ODIIHR’s training programmes for prosecutors.

Why does it matter?

Hate crimes demand more than investigation — they demand expert prosecution. The way prosecutors handle hate crimes is critical to delivering justice, upholding the rule of law, and protecting victims. By ensuring hate crimes are properly investigated, charged, and prosecuted, prosecutors validate victims’ experiences, promote accountability, and deter future offences.

Who is the manual for?

The Training Manual is designed for training prosecutors, judges and criminal justice professionals.

What prosecution challenges does the manual address?

Overcoming gaps or shortcomings in national hate crime legislation.
Ensuring accurate legal qualification of offences that reflects bias motivation.
Gathering both direct and circumstantial evidence to prove bias.
Maintaining consistency in the standards required to establish bias.
Effectively engaging and supporting hate crime victims throughout the process.

Key features of the manual

Modular structure — covers everything from bias indicators to applying local laws and handling complex intersections with ‘hate speech’.
Practical case studies — drawn from real contexts to sharpen skills in identifying, charging, and evidencing hate crimes.
Victim-centred approach — with tools to understand diverse experiences and needs through intersectional perspectives.
Interactive learning — group discussions, self-reflection, and hands-on exercises.
Adaptable materials — easy to customize with local law, community experiences, and national context.

Contact ODIHR’s Hate Crime Training Team

Email: hatecrimetraining@odihr.pl

ODIHR’s Hate Crime Training Team provides support in designing and implementing a training programme tailored to your specific needs, including as a comprehensive programme, selected training modules or a refresher training course.