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Headway made in combating discrimination
What does FELGTB propose?
Through anti-hatred networks, FELGTB proposes
coordination among the different stakeholders, pub-
lic and private, in order to give a unified response to
hate crime. The result of such coordination would be
the development of tools, procedures and training and
awareness-raising activities. The ultimate objective is
to make the entire society aware of this problem, pro-
mote legislative change and offer better support and
guidance to victims to keep these crimes from go-
ing unpunished. The programme seeks to enhance the
visibility of crimes based on sexual orientation/gender
identity and move forward in the collection and organ-
isation of data.
Prosecutors, defence attorneys, police and representa-
tives of the national and regional governments took part
in this working group. In representation of the civil so-
ciety, victims of hate crime, NGOs and the media took
part. The group was instrumental in identifying best
practices in Norway and Iceland as well as the aware-
ness-raising and training deficiencies of the different
agents. It also searched for solutions to the problems
raised and tried to come up with the best response to
the problem.
Product: Report on the policing of social diversity.
Product: Report on proposals for a political and institu-
tional response to hate crime based on sexual orienta-
tion/gender identity.
The FELGTB will create an observatory for hate crime
based on sexual orientation/gender identity which will
collect and organise information on these crimes. It aims
to serve as a point of contact for victims where they
can turn for initial care and counselling and receive infor-
mation. Product: quarterly reports of cases. Cyber-vol-
unteers: a group of cyber-volunteers composed of
15 young activists will be formed and coordinated. It
will be put in charge of monitoring and reporting on
hate speech on the Internet and identifying cases of
cyber-harassment and offering victims advice and
support. In addition to these activities, the group will
also collaborate in spreading the Council of Europe’s “No
Hate Speech” campaign.
Campaign report on LGTB rights in Spain
Awareness among citizens, administrations and the
LGTB population as to the acts actually constituting
discrimination and hate crime based on sexual orien-
tation/gender identity is vital to anti-hatred networks.
Efforts were made in this connection through a cam-
paign featuring different elements launched in Decem-
ber 2014. A report was submitted showing the current
situation of discrimination based on sexual orientation/
gender identity. This was drawn up based on a system-
atic analysis of legislation, regulations, protocols and
everyday practice in different areas and on the causes
identified by the hate crime observatory.
Why contribute?
The Anti-hatred Networks Programme marks an impor-
tant step forward in the fight against discrimination and
hate crime against LGTB persons in Spain. Our work,
in coordination with institutions and other similar net-
works, will have an impact on improving the diagnosis
and response to this problem and give victims a better
understanding of the procedures they need to follow
and of the resources and guidance available to them.
The programme likewise contributes to reducing hate
speech targeting LGTB persons on the Internet and
raising the awareness and capacity of the institutions
entrusted with helping victims.
Members of the Anti-hatred Networks
•
FELGTB, coordinated by Spain. Jenifer Rebollo
gerencia@felgtb.orgAlberto Martin-Pérez tec.
salud@felgtb.org•
Landsforeningen for Lesbik og Homofil Frigjøring,
LLH; Norway
•
Samtökin ’78. The national Queer organization of
Iceland; Iceland.
•
Fundación 26 de diciembre; Spain
•
National Union of Local Police Chiefs and Direc-
tors, Spain.
•
Progressive Union of Prosecutors, Spain www.
felgtb.org