How to recognise hate speech, where the limits of freedom of expression lie, and how to respond appropriately in specific situations were among the questions explored by the 19th cohort of Police Academy trainees during workshops held on 20 and 21 October 2026, with the support of Human Rights Action (HRA).

Through discussions of the legal framework, practical examples and analysis of specific scenarios, trainees had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and consider the challenges police officers may encounter in their daily work—from incidents at sporting events to hate speech in digital spaces, on social media and online news portals.

Particular emphasis was placed on establishing all relevant facts, taking appropriate measures and actions, and properly documenting incidents. These are important steps in enabling the competent authorities to respond effectively and determine the appropriate legal classification of an offence.

Armin Selmanović, State Prosecutor at the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office, discussed the legal framework and the prosecution’s response, helping trainees understand the importance of proper fact-gathering and cooperation between the police and prosecution in establishing what happened in specific incidents.

Tea Gorjanc-Prelević, Executive Director of Human Rights Action (HRA), presented practical examples of hate speech, the legal proceedings that followed and their outcomes. Amra Bajrović, Legal Adviser, introduced “Click-to-Report”, an online tool developed by HRA to make reporting hate speech easier.

Understanding hate speech requires knowledge of legal provisions, the ability to assess context, careful consideration of the facts, and professional conduct in accordance with the law, with full respect for the human rights and dignity of every individual.

The workshops were organised as part of the project “New Generation Voices for Peace: Youth Against Hate Speech”, implemented by Human Rights Action with financial support from the Federal Foreign Office of Germany through ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) and its zivik Funding Programme.