"#NoPlace4Hate: Improving Institutional Response to Hate Speech in Lithuania"

ended

Response by Lithuanian authorities to hate speech is inefficient, because of inconsistent procedural practices, lack of victim support services and low awareness. The proposed project seeks to address this situation through establishing clear guidelines on processing complaints on hate speech within criminal justice system, building capacity of competent public authorities, improving support to victims of hate speech, increasing awareness and improving capacities of two-ombudsman type institutions. The above outlined objectives will be achieved through (1) conducting independent ombudsmen review on investigating hate speech, (2) implementing cooperation protocols and conducting internal awareness raising within law enforcement structures, (3) organizing capacity building trainings for law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges, (4) developing online victim support & information hub (including network of independent service providers and comprehensive referral system), (5) conducting multiple awareness raising campaigns to promote zero tolerance approach towards hate speech. The project will target public authorities in charge of responding to hate speech (1200), victims of hate speech (1000) and general public (1M). It is expected that improved procedures, available victim support services and increased awareness will result both in increased number of reported incidents and reduced prevalence of hate speech. The project will also strengthen institutional capacity of two ombudsmen-type institutions to conduct preventive activities in the field of hate speech according to their mandate. The project will produce number of outputs, including independent ombudsman review (1), cooperation protocols (2), internal awareness raising campaign for law enforcement (1), capacity building trainings (8), online victim support & information hub (1), public awareness raising campaigns (2), national human rights forum (1).