Feelings of hatred towards other people can sometimes quickly escalate into verbal or non-verbal violence and destruction. Often, the perpetrator does not even know the victim, and the primary intention is to harm an entire group of people to which the individual belongs. This is the perpetrator's way of expressing the view that that specific group is not a desirable part of society.

Unia groups this type of incident under the header of ‘society’ because the crimes are committed in the public space, in a neighbourhood or a family environment. They generally involve hate speech or hate crimes.

More info about society

Verbal abuse

Many statements are covered by freedom of speech. But that freedom of speech is not absolute: hate speech is a punishable offence. Read more.

Violence and destruction

When can actions be considered hate crimes, and how can you prove them? Read more.

Disputes between neighbours

Do you have a conflict with your neighbours? There are various organisations that can help you resolve the conflict. Read more.

What does Unia do?

Have you been the victim of hate speech or hate crimes? Then you can report it to us. We will provide you with guidance and legal advice.

In exceptional cases, we will join you in taking legal action: but we do this only when the crimes are sufficiently serious, when dialogue with the perpetrators has proved impossible or in order to clarify the laws. We will never take legal action without your consent. If we go to court, we always strive first and foremost to arrange alternative measures rather than criminal penalties.

In addition:

• we publish reports and studies;
• we draft recommendations, such as in our evaluation of the antidiscrimination laws (2017);
• we engage in dialogue with the sector, the government and members of civil society.