Council of Europe Proposes “Democratic Security” Strategy to Combat Global Surge in Hate Speech

Secretary General Alain Berset has called for a new “strategy for democratic security” to combat the rising tide of hate speech across Europe. This approach emphasizes implementing rigorous legal standards and innovative technological solutions to protect victims and safeguard democratic institutions from proliferation of abuse.

RMN News Europe Desk
New Delhi | June 22, 2026

Addressing the Crisis: A Unified European Front

During the plenary session of No Hate Speech week and the Democracy Hackathon in Strasbourg, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset addressed representatives from 44 countries regarding the urgent need to combat hate speech. The event served as a platform for democratic institutions, civil society, and tech actors to refine methods for preventing and countering discrimination.

Berset emphasized that the Council of Europe stands firmly with victims targeted for their identity, beliefs, or origins. However, he stressed that “solidarity alone is not sufficient” and advocated for a collective shift toward a “strategy for democratic security” where hate speech is directly confronted by the law.

  From AI prejudices to online disinformation, Europe is deploying new legal standards to protect the vulnerable and secure democratic life.

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Legal Frameworks and Technological Challenges

The proposed strategy relies on established legal standards to provide a common European response. Under this framework:

• Criminal Law: Reserved for the most serious forms of hate speech and hate crime.
• Civil Law & Education: Utilized to tackle other manifestations and provide support for those targeted.
• AI and Technology: New standards adopted this year aim to prevent artificial intelligence from multiplying prejudices and to confront technology-facilitated violence against women and girls, which often involves disinformation designed to push them out of public life.

Global Context and Future Initiatives

This initiative arrives against a backdrop of global concern regarding the “exponential spread” of hate speech online, a trend recognized by the United Nations since 2021. The No Hate Speech week 2026 and the accompanying Democracy Hackathon—where young innovators develop tech-based responses to digital challenges—are critical components of the consultation for the New Democratic Pact for Europe.

The ongoing efforts are organized under the auspices of the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of Monaco and receive co-funding from the European Union, the Council of Europe, and EEA and Norway Grants.