Systematic training for criminal justice practitioners key to tackling hate crimes, OSCE human rights office says – Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Report on the Need for Enhanced Criminal Justice Training to Combat Hate Crimes

Executive Summary

A report issued from Warsaw on 17 November 2025 by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) identifies an urgent requirement for systematic, long-term training for criminal justice practitioners. The initiative aims to improve responses to hate crimes and ensure victims have meaningful access to justice, directly supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Key Findings and Recommendations from the OSCE/ODIHR

The OSCE/ODIHR statement highlights several critical components for an effective strategy against hate crimes, which are essential for achieving global sustainability targets:

• Systematic and Long-Term Training: A call for the development of comprehensive and sustained training programmes for police and prosecutors.
• Community Involvement: Emphasis on the necessity of involving targeted communities in the design and implementation of these programmes to ensure they are effective and inclusive.
• Primary Objective: To guarantee an effective judicial response to hate crimes, reinforcing institutional integrity.
• Victim-Centric Approach: To provide meaningful access to justice for all victims of hate-motivated incidents, leaving no one behind.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Primary Alignment: SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The initiative is a direct contribution to SDG 16, which aims to build peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. The proposed training programmes are instrumental in achieving several of its targets:

• Target 16.3: By ensuring access to justice for victims of hate crimes, the training strengthens the rule of law and promotes equal access to justice for all.
• Target 16.6: It promotes the development of effective, accountable, and transparent institutions within the criminal justice system.
• Target 16.1: A robust response to hate crimes is essential for significantly reducing all forms of violence.

Secondary Alignment with Other Global Goals

The report’s focus also supports other interconnected goals vital for sustainable development:

1. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Effectively prosecuting hate crimes protects vulnerable and marginalized groups, thereby reducing inequalities within and among countries and promoting social inclusion.
2. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Addressing hate crimes is crucial for creating safe, resilient, and inclusive human settlements where all citizens can participate without fear of persecution or violence.

Conclusion

The OSCE/ODIHR’s call for specialized training for criminal justice practitioners represents a critical step towards dismantling systemic discrimination and violence. Implementing such programmes is not only key to tackling hate crimes but is also an essential component in achieving the broader global objectives outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those concerning justice, equality, and peace.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on tackling hate crimes through systematic training for criminal justice practitioners connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary goals addressed are those concerning justice, equality, and institutional capacity.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  This goal is relevant because hate crimes are a direct manifestation of inequality and discrimination against targeted communities. The article’s focus on ensuring an “effective response to hate crime” and providing “meaningful access to justice for victims” is a direct effort to protect vulnerable groups and reduce the inequalities they face in society and within the justice system.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Hate crimes undermine public safety and social cohesion, making communities less inclusive and safe for certain groups. By improving the criminal justice response to such crimes, the initiative described in the article contributes to creating a safer and more inclusive environment for all residents.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This is the most directly relevant SDG. The article’s core message is about strengthening criminal justice institutions (“police and prosecutors”) to provide “access to justice for victims” and effectively combat a specific form of violence (hate crime). The call for “systematic and long-term training programmes” is a clear strategy to build effective, accountable, and capable institutions, which is a central theme of SDG 16.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s focus, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Targets under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The article supports this target by advocating for measures that protect marginalized and “targeted communities” from hate crimes, thereby ensuring they can participate in society without fear.
   • Target 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices…” An effective justice system that properly addresses hate crimes is crucial for ensuring equal protection under the law and reducing inequalities of outcome for victims.

2. Targets under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

   • Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” Hate crimes are a specific form of violence that the proposed training programs aim to tackle more effectively, contributing to the overall reduction of violence.
   • Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” This target is at the heart of the article, which explicitly calls for ensuring “meaningful access to justice for victims” of hate crimes.
   • Target 16.a: “Strengthen relevant national institutions… for building capacity at all levels… to prevent violence and combat… crime.” The article’s central recommendation to “develop systematic and long-term training programmes for police and prosecutors” is a direct call for capacity-building within national justice institutions to combat crime.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it implies several ways to measure progress towards the goals of the initiative. These can be interpreted as practical, context-specific indicators.

• Existence and scope of training programs: A direct indicator implied by the article is the establishment and implementation of “systematic and long-term training programmes for police and prosecutors.” Progress could be measured by the number of criminal justice practitioners trained, the number of jurisdictions with such programs, and the inclusion of “targeted communities” in their development.
• Effectiveness of the justice system’s response: The article aims for an “effective response to hate crime.” This implies indicators such as the rate of hate crimes being officially recorded, investigated, and prosecuted. An increase in the number of successfully prosecuted hate crime cases would be a key measure of progress.
• Access to justice for victims: The goal of providing “meaningful access to justice for victims” implies indicators related to victim satisfaction and trust in the justice system. This could be measured through surveys of victims or by tracking the rate at which victims report hate crimes to the authorities, as an increase in reporting can signify greater trust.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: osce.org