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Spain

Spain regularly reports hate crime data to ODIHR. Spain publishes annual reports on hate crimes.

Spain implemented ODIHR's Training Against Hate Crime for Law Enforcement (TAHCLE) programme in 2019, and the Prosecutor General's Office has established a network of dedicated hate crime prosecutors across the country. A regional TAHCLE in Valencia was implemented in 2016.

The Ministry of Interior has a dedicated protocol that regulates how law enforcement handles hate crime cases and sets out the specific rights of hate crime victims. Within the Ministry, the Spanish National Office Against Hate Crimes (ONDOD) is responsible for the Hate Crime Action Plan (adopted for 2019-2021 and 2022-2024). Currently, the Action Plan covers the areas of victim support, co-ordination among state authorities, civil society and the private sector, hate crime prevention, specialization within the police, training, awareness raising, and the allocation of adequate human resources in ONDOD.

In 2023, Spain implemented a new national Strategic Framework against racism and xenophobia

Hate crime data collection in Spain
Support for hate crime victims in Spain
Hate crime capacity building in Spain
Spain's hate crime legislation
TANDIS Access more information at the Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Information System (TANDIS) website

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Download the 2013 hate crime report for Spain

OFFICIAL DATA REPORTED BY STATES

Year Hate crimes recorded by police Prosecuted Sentenced
2023 2,268 210 157
2022 1,869 191 152
2021 1,802 192 91
2020 1401 675 144
2019 1706 Not available Not available
2018 1598 Not available Not available
2017 1419 Not available Not available
2016 1272 Not available Not available
2015 1328 Not available Not available
2014 1285 Not available Not available
2013 1168 Not available Not available
2012 261 Not available Not available
2011 224 Not available Not available
2010 92 Not available Not available
2009 93 Not available Not available

Hate crime recorded by police

  • By bias motivation
  • By type of crime
Download official data
Download official data

National developments

In 2013, Spain launched a nationwide mapping of discrimination. This multi-faceted project aims to analyse discrimination across the country, and will result in a national survey of discrimination as well as a map of the services available to victims of discrimination and hate crimes.

In addition, specialized Prosecutors for Criminal Discrimination units, headed by a Chief Prosecutor, were introduced in all provinces.

The Guardia Civil and National Police appointed 400 agents specializing in combating racist and xenophobic crimes. Altogether, 14,545 law enforcement officers attended courses and a further 8,246 officers received online training on identifying and registering hate crimes.

KEY OBSERVATION

ODIHR observes that Spain has not reported on the numbers of prosecuted cases or information on sentenced hate crime cases to ODIHR.

Incidents reported by civil society, international organizations and the Holy See

Reports

Racist and xenophobic hate crime

The Movement Against Intolerance reported two physical assaults resulting in serious injuries, both carried out by groups. In one case, a Moroccan man was hit with a bottle in the face and head. Pro Igual reported two physical assaults resulting in serious injuries carried out by groups, one against an Arab man, who was beaten with a glass bottle, and one against an Indian boy, who was hospitalized as a result of the attack. The Cabinet for Social Studies reported one physical assault against an Indian boy in Barcelona.

read more ›

Anti-Semitic hate crime

World Without Nazism reported four incidents of graffiti, including on the home of a Jewish family.

read more ›

Hate crime against Christians and members of other religions

The Holy See, the Observatory for Freedom of Religion and Conscience (Spain) and the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe reported two bomb attacks against churches motivated by anti-religious bias. In one case, the explosive device was discovered and deactivated; in the other case, it detonated inside the church, causing material damage. Spanish authorities reported back that perpetrators were not found in the first incident and that the perpetrators in the second incident were being tried on terrorism charges and that the crime was in part motivated by anti-religious bias.

The Movement Against Intolerance reported one incident of physical assault resulting in serious injury against a 14-year-old Hindu boy by a group shouting fascist and Nazi slogans. The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians, the Observatory for Freedom of Religion and Conscience (Spain), World Without Nazism and the Holy See reported one attempted bombing and one bombing in a basilica. Both Observatories also reported one additional bomb that was mailed to a church official and wounded a postal worker, one case of arson and the desecration of one church. The Observatory for Freedom of Religion and Conscience (Spain) also reported one threat to a Bishops Conference and one incident of graffiti on a church.

read more ›

Anti-Muslim hate crime

The Union of Islamic Communities of Spain reported one physical assault, during which a woman was pushed onto the railways tracks at a train station, one attempted assault in a mosque in which a machete was used, one arson attack against a halal butcher and one incident of graffiti on a mosque. Pro Igual reported one case of graffiti on a mosque.

read more ›

Anti-LGBTI hate crime

The State Federation of Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual People reported 35 physical assaults, four of which resulted in serious injuries, two incidents of damage to property and 19 cases of threats. The Movement Against Intolerance reported two physical assaults, including one carried out by a group. Pro Igual reported one physical assault resulting in serious injury against a gay couple who were hospitalized.

read more ›

Anti-Roma hate crime

The Cabinet for Social Studies reported a series of incidents of damage to property, during which the tires of vans owned by Roma people were slashed; the Movement Against Intolerance reported one physical assault carried out by a group against a couple.

read more ›

Developments

Racist and xenophobic hate crime

The Reggae Against Intolerance initiative was set up by the Movement Against Intolerance and Rototom Sunsplash, and supported by the Youth Institute of Spain (INJUVE). It aims to increase young people’s awareness about racism, xenophobia and related intolerance through reggae and took place in about 3,000 schools.

read more ›

INTERNATIONAL REPORTS

Racist and xenophobic hate crime

In a report following his visit to Spain, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance emphasized the importance of collecting data on racist offences by the police, prosecution services and the courts. The Special Rapporteur also commended Spain for creating the post of Public Prosecutor for Equal Treatment and Against Discrimination in the Supreme Court, as well as the posts of Public Prosecutors for Hate Crime and Discrimination in Madrid, Malaga, Seville and Valencia.

Contact Us

Email tndinfo@odihr.pl
Tel +48 22 520 06 00
Fax +48 22 520 06 05
OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department
Ul. Miodowa 10
00-251
Warsaw, Poland

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