The European Union has been working on a proposal to criminalize hate speech and hate crimes at the EU level for several years. The EU Commission is now planning to take a new step in this direction. According to a report by euractiv, a new initiative has been added to the EU Commission’s work program, which is expected to be presented to the European Parliament on Tuesday.
The initiative, “A more inclusive and protective Europe: extending the list of EU crimes to hate speech and hate crime” was first launched in 2021 but did not progress due to a lack of consensus among EU member states. The EU Commission believes that a common EU definition of hate speech and hate crimes is necessary to effectively combat these crimes, which it considers a threat to the foundations of European society.
The EU Commission’s proposal defines hate speech as any speech that is motivated by prejudices and aims to incite hatred, discrimination, or violence against a group or individual. The Commission also emphasizes the need to address the root causes of hate speech, including the spread of hate speech through the internet and traditional media.
Critics argue that the proposal is too vague and could be used to criminalize free speech, as it would require the EU to define what constitutes hate speech and hate crimes. They also point out that the proposal could lead to a chilling effect on free speech, as people may be less likely to express their opinions for fear of being prosecuted.
The EU Commission’s proposal is part of a broader effort to combat hate crimes and hate speech in the EU. The EU has already criminalized several types of hate crimes, including human trafficking, terrorism and money laundering. The Commission believes that hate speech and hate crimes are a threat to the values of European society and that a common EU definition is necessary to effectively combat these crimes.