Hate speech

At the Open Dialogue Foundation, we are working to confront the growing problem of hate speech and hate-motivated violence in Poland and across the region. Our campaign aims to expose how discriminatory narratives, dehumanising rhetoric, and institutional inaction create an environment in which intolerance and hostility can thrive. We monitor, document, and respond to hate speech in public life – whether it targets minorities, refugees, LGBTQ+ people, or anyone speaking out in defence of democracy and human rights.

We are currently preparing a new report on hate crimes in Poland, covering the years of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The report examines, among other things, the rise of hate speech directed at Ukrainian refugees and at individuals and organisations providing humanitarian aid at the Belarusian border.

Through our research and advocacy, we shed light on both individual incidents and systemic failures. We publish detailed reports on hate crimes and hate speech, organise public debates, and bring the issue to international attention – including within institutions such as the OSCE. Our work focuses not only on identifying perpetrators but also on holding authorities accountable for failing to protect victims and to counter hate effectively.

Key elements of our campaign include:

• Monitoring and reporting on hate crimes and hate speech in Poland and across Europe;
• Publishing fact-based analyses and data-driven reports documenting the scale and nature of the problem;
• Organising public debates and side events at international forums to raise awareness and push for policy change;
• Supporting victims and civil society actors who stand up against intolerance and discrimination.

We believe that countering hate speech requires more than words – it demands visibility, accountability, and solidarity. By exposing hate as a political weapon and challenging its normalisation in public discourse, we work to defend the dignity and safety of all people, and to promote a democratic culture based on respect and equality.