Hate Speech and the European Court of Human Rights' with Natalie Alkiviadou

Join us for a discussion of Natalie Alkiviadou's much-discussed new book, Hate Speech and the European Court of Human Rights, which argues that the Court has adopted an approach to hate speech that fails to provide proper protection to freedom of expression. The book reveals stark inconsistencies in the Court's caselaw in the treatment of different forms of hate and a consistent failure to have regard to relevant empirical evidence. Overall, the book argues that the Court needs a fundamental rethink in its approach to hate speech, which currently fails to uphold its supposedly bedrock principle that the Article 10 right to freedom of expression protects speech that may be deemed offensive, shocking, or disturbing.

At the event, Dr Alkiviadou will briefly outline the key findings of the book, then two members of the Law School, Professor Gavin Phillipson and Mr Matthew Burton, will offer short commentaries. We will then turn to Q&A and general discussion. A drinks reception will follow.

Biography: Natalie Alkividaou is Senior Research Fellow at the Future of Free Speech at Vanderbilt University. She is a leading scholar in the fields of freedom of expression, the far Right, hate speech and non-discrimination. Her extensive publications include three monographs on the far Right as well as multiple journal articles and chapters in edited collections. She participated in the High Level Group on Combatting Racism, Xenophobia and Other Forms of Intolerance, was country researcher for the 2019 European Network Against Racism report on hate crime and 2022 report on structural racism. She has drafted handbooks, strategy papers and reports for projects funded by the European Commission and the European Youth Foundation.

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