EU justice ministers showed a common desire to tackle hate crimes at European level, at their informal meeting in Lille on 4 February. According to the European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, “there was no objection from any minister. There were remarks, but no objections” to including hate speech and hate crime among the European criminal offences listed in Article 83 TFEU.
Following the European Commission’s proposal to this effect in December (see EUROPE 12850/16), the EU Council must adopt a unanimous decision, which must then be approved by the Parliament. Only then will the Commission be able to propose legislation to regulate this type of infringement.
“I am very confident. Of course, some Member States have to go through a debate in the national parliament first, but the message this morning was very clear. On extending the list, I think we are very close to unanimity, I hope we will be in March”, he told journalists, including EUROPE.
French justice minister Eric Dupond-Moretti spoke in similar terms about the timetable, describing a “convergent opinion between all countries”. However, he said that the balance between freedom of expression and the repression of hate speech should be kept in mind. The Spanish justice minister also stressed the need to guarantee this fundamental right.
During the discussion on this subject, some participants also focused on the need for prevention, beyond the criminal aspect. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)