Human Rights Defenders e.V. Berlin participated in the international conference on hate speech and hate crime held in Limerick, Ireland, on 28–29 May.
The conference was organized by the Centre for the Study of Hate at the University of Limerick in close cooperation with the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity and Inclusion (CDADI). The event brought together academics, policymakers, legal practitioners, civil society representatives, and human rights experts from across Europe.
The opening address was delivered by Professor Shane Kilcommins, President of the University of Limerick, while the closing session was led by Professor Jennifer Schweppe, one of the leading scholars in the field of hate crime research. Matteo Tracchi from the Council of Europe’s Hate Speech and Hate Crime Unit also contributed to the closing discussions.
Particular attention was drawn to three presentations addressing the consequences of state-driven stigmatization, hate speech, and discrimination in Türkiye from complementary perspectives.
Professor Hüseyin Demir presented “State-Driven Stigmatization as Hate Speech: Implications for European Human Rights Law and Strategic Litigation.” His research examined how systematic state-led stigmatization may constitute a structural human rights issue under the European Convention on Human Rights and highlighted the legal implications of discriminatory narratives and practices.
Journalist and researcher Kerim Balcı presented “Cross-border Impacts of Hate Speech and Hate Crime: How to Mitigate Harm Emanating from Another Jurisdiction.” His presentation focused on the transnational consequences of hate speech, including its impact on asylum procedures, international protection mechanisms, and the experiences of diaspora communities.
Associate Professor Fikret Demirçivi presented “Crafting the Undeserving Victim: Hate Speech and Narrative Warfare in State Repression.” His work analyzed how state-sponsored narratives can delegitimize targeted groups and shape public perceptions in ways that facilitate discrimination and exclusion.
Taken together, these presentations demonstrated how hate speech, stigmatization, and discrimination can operate not only as isolated violations but also as interconnected structural phenomena with significant implications for human rights protection, democratic governance, and the rule of law.
The conference also provided an important platform for dialogue and cooperation among scholars, civil society organizations, and international institutions working to combat hate speech, hate crime, and discrimination.
Human Rights Defenders e.V. Berlin remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote human dignity, fundamental rights, democratic values, and the protection of vulnerable communities. We will continue to engage with international partners and contribute to efforts aimed at preventing discrimination and advancing human rights across Europe.
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