The joint campaign of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Block the Hatred. Share the Love!” focused on combating hate speech was launched in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Katalin Tamus, Head of Programmes in the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje highlighted the continuous support to public authorities in their efforts to fight hate speech and hate crimes especially for the most vulnerable communities in our society.

“This campaign aims to raise awareness about the various forms of hate speech that target specific communities and individuals in the society, as well as to promote different ways of fighting hate speech, primarily by spreading positive messages and an attitude of acceptance, and respect for diversity,” stressed Tamus.

In her remarks, Elizabeta Gjorgievska, First Lady of the Republic of North Macedonia, shared the importance of co-operation and commitment of all the actors in the fight against hate speech and hate crimes: “Every individual in the institutions, from top decision makers down to civil servants, should be equally committed to combat any form of discrimination that can generate tensions in our society,” said Gjorgievska.

Coordinator of the Young European Ambassadors from North Macedonia, Dona Srdikj Lazarevska also addressed the participants at the launch.

The “Block the Hatred. Share the Love!” campaign aims to raise awareness of the various forms of hate speech targeting specific communities and individuals in the society, and ways of combatting it. During the next months this awareness raising movement will be extended in ‘online’ through the web and social media channels, as well as through public events. The campaign will involve prominent public figures, important institutions and key human rights activists, who will promote diversity and equality in the local communities and in the region, through personal storytelling, testimonies and exchange of good practices.