Combating Hate Crime in Latvia and the Czech Republic: Legislation, Police Practice and the Role of NGOs

The project is funded by the European Commission through “2005 Actions in support of civil society in the Member States which acceded to the European Union on 1st May 2004”

Project duration: 01/12/2006 – 30/11/2008

Project partner: Czech Helsinki Committee (Czech Republic)

The objective of the project is to increase knowledge and capacity of law enforcement in Latvia and the Czech Republic to address hate crime, as well as to establish criteria and tools for effective policing of such crime within the existing legislative framework. Awareness of the experience of hate crime victims and why addressing the issue is important for all society will be raised, which will contribute to understanding of why and how legislation should be amended.  The case for police specialist training and victim support will be made with a view to bringing about a change in conceptualisation and police practice. Key players will participate in national and international seminars, study visits and trainings with the objective of establishing a core group of trained persons among police and the NGOs, who will be agents of change for more effective law enforcement.  In addition, analysis of legislation will identify necessary amendments to laws.

The project output includes:

           4 national papers: 2 for Latvia, 2 for the Czech Republic;

           1 comparative paper;

           2 national seminars;

           2 international conferences

The first paper will focus on the situation with hate crime and law enforcement, including also an analysis of police practice, practice of the judiciary and legislation, taking into account best practice examples from other EU countries.  The second national paper will focus on victims of hate crime, the situation of victims as well as the effect of experiencing hate crime.  A fifth and final paper will provide an in-depth comparative analysis of the situation and developments within the two countries. 

The project includes two five-day study trips with six team members each (including NGO and police), one Czech team visiting Latvia and one Latvian team visiting the Czech Republic. 

A national seminar will be organized for 30 persons by the national team in each country.  Two international conferences related to the paper topics, with 60 participants each, will be organized, one in Latvia and one in the Czech Republic, organized by the national team respectively.