President Milanović: Hate Speech is Not a Misdemeanour and Should be Criminalised

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović commented on the deplorable banner inciting ethnic violence against Serb women and children, which was displayed by a group of football fans. The President holds that such messages are not a misdemeanour but rather constitute hate speech and that such behaviour should be criminalised.

“What happened yesterday was not a misdemeanour against public order, it was hate speech. As long as the police treat such things as a misdemeanour, they will happen – although, the police are not to blame as there is no other legislation. Such behaviour should be criminalised. This was not a misdemeanour, but a criminal offense. Things should be more clearly defined by the law and condemned, and this will make the job of both the police and the courts easier,” President Milanović emphasized.

The President said it was good that the state responded in this case. “It is best when the state protects all citizens, instead of the politicians, through a transparent protection system. The Croatian state has thus far shown that it is a normal state,” President Milanović asserted.