OSCE highlights need for stronger institutional response to gender-based hate crime

Effectively addressing gender-based hate crime requires more than legislation, it demands clear legal definitions, consistent institutional practices and stronger co-operation to ensure accountability and meaningful protection for victims. This was the central message of the 2026 Annual Conference on Hate Crimes in South-East Europe, held on Thursday in Sarajevo. The conference brought together representatives of the judiciary, prosecution services, law enforcement agencies, academia and civil society, alongside OSCE field operations from across South-East Europe and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). Discussions focused on the challenges of recognizing, investigating and prosecuting crimes motivated by gender-based prejudice, including the relationship between gender-based hate crime, gender-based violence and femicide. Participants examined differences in emerging legal frameworks across the region, challenges in proving gender-based bias motivation and gaps in data collection that hinder effective institutional responses.