Other hate crime based on religion or belief

Bias against individuals on the basis of religion or belief can take various forms. The extent and nature of attacks motivated by bias against a particular religion or belief are influenced by a number of factors, including the minority or majority status in a given territory, the level of recognition of particular religious or belief groups in a given country, or political and media focus on these groups at a particular moment. This category also presents hate crimes targeting non-believers.

OSCE participating States collect varying types of information, which is then reported and presented under the heading of this bias motivation. For some states, the number of cases reported here may cover all hate crimes committed with an anti-religious bias (including anti-Christian, anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim). In other cases, hate crimes motivated by anti-Semitism or bias against Muslims or Christians are reported under specific bias categories and, thus, not included in the overall figure for crimes committed with an anti-religious bias. As a consequence of these differences, understanding the data presented under this bias category requires caution, as comparisons based on the numbers of cases alone may not be accurate.

TANDIS

Overview of incidents reported by other sources

Violent attacks against people Threats Attacks against property Total
0 1 3 4

Date Country Type of incident Source Description
2016 Switzerland Threats Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism, humanrights.ch Show info
2016-03 United States of America Attacks against property Ephesus Initiative Show info
2016-04 Russian Federation Attacks against property SOVA Center Show info
2016-05 Russian Federation Attacks against property SOVA Center Show info

International Reports

Denmark

In its fifth report on Denmark, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) recommended that the police take hate motivations into consideration in cases of vandalism targeting religious sites.

OSCE Region

The Human Rights Council, in Resolution 31/16, expressed concern over violent attacks motivated by anti-religious bias, targeting individuals belonging to religious minorities, as well as religious places, and recommended that states prevent, investigate and punish such acts.