OSCE Conference Highlights Need for Stronger Institutional Response to Gender-Based Hate Crime in South-East Europe

Sarajevo, 29 October 2026 – 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 today 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.

“Moving from concept to practice requires more than legislation. It requires knowledge, institutional commitment, sound professional judgment and sustained co-operation. Our shared objective must be to ensure that legal and institutional frameworks translate into meaningful protection, accountability and access to justice,” said Ivo Lupis, Head of Human Dimension Department at the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Building on more than a decade of OSCE-supported South-East Europe regional co-operation on hate crimes, the conference provided a platform for exchanging experiences, identifying shared challenges and exploring priorities for strengthening institutional co-operation and responses.