Albania: Council of Europe Committee of Ministers adopts Recommendation on combating hate speech

On 20 May 2022, the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)16 on combating hate speech. The Committee of Ministers has urged member countries to establish comprehensive policies for preventing and combating hate speech, including the development of an effective legislative framework and the implementation of appropriately calibrated and proportional actions. National authorities are recommended to find a balance between the right to privacy, the right to freedom of speech, and the prohibition of discrimination. According to the guidelines, member states should distinguish between the severity of cases of hate speech to determine whether to use criminal, civil or administrative law or alternative responses.