Hate crime, hate speech, incitement to national, racial or religious hatred

15.The Committee is concerned about the reported increase in the number of incidents of violence, hate speech and discrimination based on race, nationality, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation and the insufficient response by the authorities to such incidents. The Committee is further concerned about the fact that the Penal Code does not refer to disability, age, sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds for hate crimes. (arts. 2, 3, 18, 20, 26 and 27)

16.The State party should continue strengthening its efforts to prevent and eradicate all acts of, among others, racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and homophobia, by, inter alia:

(a)Amending the Penal Code so that crimes motivated by discrimination on any grounds under the Covenant are investigated and prosecuted as aggravated forms of criminal conduct;

(b)Taking measures to prevent and to swiftly and effectively respond to any incident of hate speech, discrimination, violence, or alleged hate crimes, including through the internet, through banning the operation of racist associations and facilitating civil lawsuits by victims pursuant to article 24(1) of the Civil Code;

(c)Thoroughly investigating alleged hate crimes, prosecuting perpetrators and, if convicted, punishing them, and providing victims with adequate remedies;

(d)Renewing the National Action Plan for Equal Treatment which is set to expire soon;

e)Reviewing the legal status of same sex couples and parents, with a view to ensuring their enjoyment of the right to non-discrimination in law and in fact; and

(f)Continue working on awareness-raising and educational campaigns aimed at promoting respect for human rights and tolerance for diversity.

17.The Committee is concerned about the dissolution of the Council for the Prevention of Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in April 2016 without making any arrangements for a substitute institution. (arts. 2, 18, 20, 26 and 27)