Hate crimes

On 18 September 2017, the Academy of Justice in cooperation with OSCE, conducted training on: “Hate crimes”.

The purpose of this training was to advance the knowledge of participants regarding legal framework in Kosovo and international law in relation to hate crimes.

During this session were treated: international instruments and national legal provisions related to hate crimes, identification techniques of investigation and criminal prosecution and sanctioning of hate crimes.

Within this training were also treated general aggravating circumstances, used for determining the sanction against perpetrator as provided by paragraph 2.12 of the Article 74 of CCK, covering criminal offences pertained to be committed by prejudging motive.

In particular, was emphasized that if the offense is committed against a person or group of persons or property because of ethnic or national origin, nationality, language, religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs, color, gender, sexual orientation due to proximity to persons with the aforementioned characteristics. The provision of the general aggravating circumstances ensures that all criminal offenses defined by the CCK, which are carried out with a motivation of prejudice, are subject to the most severe punishments. 

The training took place in the form of interactive discussions, pointing out the applicable legal framework for hate crimes and practical challenges and difficulties related to cases of this subject.

Beneficiaries of this training were: judges, prosecutors, lawyers, professional associates and police officers from Mitrovica region.