ICCPR concluding observations 2015, paragraph 10
Plain English recommendation
Government should: Do more to prevent and put an end to racism and xenophobia, including in the media and on the internet, in line with UN advice on freedom of opinion and expression, by: (a) implementing and enforcing existing laws and policies to combat hate crimes. (b) introducing awareness-raising campaigns to promote human rights and tolerance for diversity. (c) improving reporting of incitement to discrimination, hostility, violence and hate crime cases. (d) fully investigating all allegations of incitement to discrimination, hostility, violence and hate crime. Prosecute perpetrators, ensure appropriate punishments, and offer victims effective remedies and compensation.
Original UN recommendation
The State party should strengthen its efforts to prevent and eradicate all acts of racism and xenophobia, including in the mass media and on the Internet, in accordance with articles 19 and 20 of the Covenant and the Committee’s general comment No. 34 (2011) on freedoms of opinion and expression, by, inter alia: (a) Effectively implementing and enforcing the existing relevant legal and policy frameworks on combating hate crimes. (b) Introducing new awareness-raising campaigns aimed at promoting respect for human rights and tolerance for diversity. (c) Improving the reporting of cases of incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, and of cases of hate crimes. (d) Thoroughly investigating alleged cases of incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, and alleged hate crimes, prosecuting the perpetrators and, if they are convicted, punishing them with appropriate sanctions, and providing victims with adequate remedies, including compensation.
Date of UN examination
16/08/2015
UN article number
19 (freedom of opinion and expression), 20 (prohibition of incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence)
Original UN document
Download the original ICCPR concluding observations 2015 on the UN website