Universal Periodic Review

Pursue efforts to combat hate speech and violence on the internet while respecting the freedom of expression

Proponent:

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Apr 1, 2025):

Regarding hate speech on the internet, the Hate on the Net Act was introduced to help victims of online hate, including group-focused misanthropy (HiNBG see: here). Another positive development is that the Federal Ministry of the Interior has integrated the systematic recording of prejudicial motives in intentional criminal offences into police work as part of an EU project. For this purpose, the category „Hate crime“ was introduced in the police logging programme (PAD) as a separate „Motive“ tab with the title „Prejudice motives (hate crime) according to victim groups“. The recorded data is transmitted to the justice system via a separate interface: Electronic Legal Transactions (ERV) and subjected to quality assurance by the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Around 30,000 police officers throughout Austria have been prepared for this task by completing e-learning seminars and receiving training as multipliers. The police now work on the basis of a victim-centred approach, actively listening to those affected and investigating consistently to ensure appropriate prosecution. These measures are designed to help tackle bias crime and improve safety for all citizens.
 In the Government Plan 2025-2029, the Federal Government plans to set up a National Action Plan against Hate Crime with the aim of taking targeted action against hate crime (see Government Plan 2025-2029: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/die-bundesregierung/regierungsdokumente.html). An important aspect in the fight against racism is the balance between freedom of expression and combating hate speech. Austria protects freedom of expression, but hate speech that incites violence or discrimination is prosecuted by law. The Austrian government and the EU are working together to combat disinformation and hate speech without compromising freedom of expression (see statement by the Federal Chancellery: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/agenda/jugend/lebensqualitaet-und-miteinander/no-hate-speech.html). One initiative that is strongly committed to combating hate speech is the No Hate Speech Movement, which was founded in 2013 on the initiative of the Council of Europe. In addition, the National Committee was founded in 2016, which encourages and supports campaigns to raise awareness and combat hate online. In their statement, they call for Austria to take responsibility and draw up a national action plan against racism: a href=https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20230314_OTS0025/oesterreich-muss-seine-verantwortung-im-kampf-gegen-rassismus-wahrnehmen>here. Regarding hate speech on the internet, the Hate on the Net Act was introduced to help victims of online hate, including group-focused misanthropy (HiNBG see: https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/BgblAuth/BGBLA_2020_I_148/BGBLA_2020_I_148.html). Another positive development is that the Federal Ministry of the Interior has integrated the systematic recording of prejudicial motives in intentional criminal offences into police work as part of an EU project. For this purpose, the category „Hate crime“ was introduced in the police logging programme (PAD) as a separate „Motive“ tab with the title „Prejudice motives (hate crime) according to victim groups“. The recorded data is transmitted to the justice system via a separate interface: Electronic Legal Transactions (ERV) and subjected to quality assurance by the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Around 30,000 police officers throughout Austria have been prepared for this task by completing e-learning seminars and receiving training as multipliers. The police now work on the basis of a victim-centred approach, actively listening to those affected and investigating consistently to ensure appropriate prosecution. These measures are designed to help tackle bias crimes and improve safety for all citizens.