Increasing influence of ultra-nationalistic and xenophobic politics across Europe, hate speech setting the tone in social media, rampant antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred, as well as an increasingly hostile environment for NGOs working with vulnerable groups – these alarming trends and new challenges linked to artificial intelligence were outlined by ECRI, the Council of Europe’s independent expert body against racism and intolerance, in its annual report for 2019.
“Europe is facing a shocking reality: anti-semitic, anti-Muslim and other racist hate crimes are increasing at an alarming rate, the most recent example being the extremist shooting in Hanau, Germany, in which 9 people were killed and several wounded. Such heinous acts are often precipitated by poisonous words and conspiracy theories spread on social media and the internet,” said Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić.
We must stop the dissemination of toxic rhetoric from racist extremists which strikes at the very heart of our democracies. Our member states must work together against the rising right-wing threat, including through co-operation with ECRI and making best use of its recommendations”, she added.
