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20 January 2025

Denmark: Amnesty International launches campaign against hate speech

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Amnesty International Denmark launched a new public campaign, Hate harms. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of, reduce and prevent hate speech and behaviour, and to increase conviction of its perpetrators. 

The campaign displays videos of individuals sharing their stories of hate speech alongside 5 key points of advice for those who might experience it. A 76-page report was also published, focusing on cases of hate speech reported over the last 22 years. It highlights the fact that the perpetrators in just 9% of reported cases were convicted, in 2% of cases the perpetrator received nothing more than a fine, and 72% of cases were dropped without prosecution.

Freedom of speech is a highly valued fundamental right in Denmark, and Danish law criminalises statements which encourage violence against or express hatred of specific groups of people. The law distinguishes between criticism of a religion or an ideology on the one hand, and targeting individuals connected to that religion or ideology on the other. Despite this, hate speech is a widespread and growing phenomenon in Denmark, both online and offline, and immigrants and residents with an ethnic minority background are often exposed to it - many on a regular basis. Being a victim of hate speech can lead to feelings of depression, self-isolation and anxiety, which can mean serious barriers to successful integration on the part of migrants and their descendants. The most common focuses of hate speech are gender, skin colour, other biological and ethnic characteristics, and religion; others include physical disability and sexual orientation. 

Amnesty is urging the Danish government to update current legislation to ensure better protection of the individual, to launch efforts in prevention and awareness, and to strengthen resources and knowledge on hate speech within the police force. A national action plan to combat racism - within which focus on hate speech could have been a component - planned years ago has yet to come into fruition.

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Denmark
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Posted by
Michala Clante Bendixen
Country Coordinator

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