Racist, xenophobic, anti-Muslim, antisemitic, anti-Roma, and anti-LGBTI language is on the rise throughout Europe, especially online and during election seasons, according to the Council of Europe’s 2025 Annual Report by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). The study emphasizes the detrimental impacts of hate speech on people, social cohesiveness, and democratic engagement while pointing out that its dissemination has been accelerated by internet platforms, anonymity, and misinformation. In order to promote more inclusive communities, ECRI advocates for stricter laws, accountable political leadership, enhanced online content moderation backed by human oversight and artificial intelligence, better protection for individuals fighting hate speech, and increased funding for media literacy and human rights education. https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/hate-speech-levels-across-europe-alarming-stronger-action-needed Share this: Print (Opens in new window) Print Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Like this:Like Loading… Post navigation Soft Security Resources: Press Articles, Documents, and Recordings on Countering Extremism, Hate Speech, and False Information – December 2025 (II/II) Five lessons from the No Hate Speech Week: what we heard, what we learned, what comes next (Council of Europe)