Europe sees “alarming” rise in hate speech, Council of Europe watchdog warns

Europe is facing an “alarming” rise in hate speech that risks undermining democratic life, fuelling violence and deepening social polarisation, according to a new annual report by the Council of Europe’s anti-racism body, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI).

The report, published on Thursday, points to a growing “trivialisation” of racist, anti-LGBTI and xenophobic discourse across the continent, including in mainstream political debate and online spaces.

ECRI said ethnic or national origin remains among the most common grounds for hate speech in Europe, followed by religion, citizenship, sexual orientation and gender identity. Antisemitic and anti-Muslim rhetoric has remained particularly prominent since the Hamas attacks against Israel on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent war in Gaza, while transgender people continue to be heavily targeted in public discourse.

The report also highlights an increase in xenophobic narratives linked to tougher immigration debates across several European countries. Roma communities, migrants, Muslims and LGBTI people were identified among the groups most frequently targeted, especially during election periods.

“Hate speech targets not only individual people but society as a whole,” ECRI Chair Bertil Cottier said in remarks accompanying the report. He warned that when people feel unsafe because of who they are, they may withdraw from public life altogether, damaging democratic participation and social cohesion.

The watchdog said political rhetoric has become a particular concern. According to ECRI, inflammatory narratives based on misinformation and negative stereotyping are increasingly used in political campaigns and risk normalising exclusionary language in public life.

The commission also warned about disinformation campaigns targeting migrants and LGBTI communities, including campaigns originating from abroad. It said such operations often rely on manipulated or decontextualised information and become especially visible during election periods.

A major focus of the report is the rapid spread of hateful content online. ECRI described social media and messaging platforms as one of the main accelerators of hate speech, pointing to the widespread use of anonymous profiles and bots that make enforcement more difficult.

The organisation argued that governments, technology companies and civil society groups must cooperate more closely to improve reporting systems and moderation mechanisms, while still respecting freedom of expression.

ECRI also pointed to the growing use of artificial intelligence tools to detect and moderate online hate speech. Although the report notes that such technologies remain limited in scope, it argues that AI systems can become more effective when combined with strong human oversight, transparency safeguards and clear reporting procedures.

At the same time, the watchdog warned that inadequate legislation remains a major obstacle in many European countries. According to the report, the absence of comprehensive legal frameworks – including criminal, civil and administrative provisions, has allowed hate speech to remain widespread and often unsanctioned.

ECRI stressed that some communities continue to receive weaker institutional protection than others. Roma and Muslims, in particular, are “too often left out” of anti-hate policy measures because defending their rights is not always viewed as politically advantageous, the report said.

Western Balkans identified as Europe’s disinformation soft underbelly

Another concern identified in the report is declining trust in law enforcement among groups frequently targeted by hate speech, contributing to significant underreporting across Europe.

The report also warned about increasing pressure on people and organisations that publicly oppose racism and intolerance. MPs, judges, equality bodies and civil society activists have themselves become targets of threats and hate campaigns, including death threats in some cases. ECRI said this has created a “chilling effect” that discourages public engagement against discrimination.

Children and young people are another growing area of concern. ECRI said schools have increasingly become spaces where divisive narratives spread easily, while teachers often lack the training needed to respond effectively. Discussions linked to conflicts in the Middle East have in some countries fuelled hostility among pupils, the report noted.

The commission argued that human rights education and media literacy are becoming essential tools to counter both online and offline hate speech among younger generations.

Alongside the report, ECRI highlighted broader concerns about democratic backsliding and shrinking civic space across Europe. During its 2025 annual seminar in Strasbourg, participants from equality bodies, EU institutions and civil society organisations warned that rising polarisation and the “securitisation” of migration debates were amplifying structural discrimination against minorities.

The report concludes that combating hate speech is no longer only a matter of protecting vulnerable groups, but a central test for the resilience of European democracies themselves.

Caption: People take part in the 17th Lisbon gay pride parade against the discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, in Lisbon, Portugal, 18 June 2016 (reissued 27 February 2026). The United Nations (UN) observes 01 March as International Zero Discrimination Day to promote equality, inclusion, and dignity for everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, race, or health status. EPA/MARIO CRUZ