Hate Speech and Freedom of Expression

Despite the importance of the freedom of expression in a democratic society the exercise of this right may be under certain conditions subject to certain restrictions, inter alia, also in cases of hate speech. In the definition of the concept of the hate speech the author refers to the international instruments which prohibit all forms of discrimination and all forms of expression which spread, incite, promote or justify racial, ethnic or religious hatred, and to the case-law of the ECtHR which under the concept of hate speech understands all forms of expressions of hatred and intolerance. The author then analyses the case-law of the ECtHR which treats the hate speech either as an abuse of the freedom of expression or decides on the principle of proportionality by seeking balance between the right of expression and the rights of others. The author criticizes the Slovenian legal system in which the hate speech is treated as a crime or offence against public order and peace, and the case-law, according to which an individual who is a member of a group, which is subject to hate speech, is not entitled to the claims under civil law.

Key words: hate speech, freedom of expression, the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Court of Human Rights, Article 297 of the Criminal Code