EU-level rules would only be mandatory if such crimes are committed on the basis of race, skin color, religion, origin, national or ethnic affiliation.
The European Parliament calls for the European Union to classify hate speech and hate crimes as so-called EU crimes, the EU Parliament informed on Thursday. In the resolution adopted at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg with 397 votes in favor, 121 against and 26 abstentions, the MEPs reminded: currently the criminal law rules of the member states
hate speech and hate crimes are treated differently,
while EU-level rules must only be applied if such crimes are committed on the basis of race, skin color, religion, origin, national or ethnic affiliation.
Minimum rules would be established
They emphasized that hate speech and hate crimes are particularly serious crimes with a cross-border dimension, for which the EP and the council bringing together the governments of the member states could establish minimum rules. The MEPs warned that freedom of expression, as crucial as it is, should not be used to protect hatred, and highlighted that the easy access and possible anonymity of the Internet and social media platforms can contribute to the spread and amplification of hate speech.
(MTI)
Cover image: Source: European Parliament
