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Cyrus Engerer welcomes EU-wide rules to safeguard people against hate speech
The European Commission is set to sign off on a plan to criminalise hate speech and violence through new rules
9 December 2021, 1:40pm
Laura Calleja
Laura Calleja
1 min read
Labour MEP Cyrus Engerer
Labour MEP Cyrus Engerer has welcomed a move by the European Commission to amend one of the EU’s founding texts to more forcefully fight violence against women, LGBTQ+ and other minorities.
The MEP praised the move in a Facebook post in which he shared derogatory comments and messages he had received that targeted his sexual orientation.
“These comments hardly affect me, but I know that there are several non-binary women, men and young people who, because of such words, feel that they are in danger in our society,” Engerer said.
He said he welcomed the European Commission expanding the list of crimes, including hate speech and hate crimes. "I welcome this extension because it safeguards citizens from such comments," he said.
This week, the Commission will sign off on a plan to criminalise hate speech and violence through EU-wide rules.
The rules would enable the Commission to put forward laws to punish misogyny and anti-LGBTQ+ abuse online and offline.
This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. This article reflects only the author’s view. The action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament's grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action.
Laura Calleja is features editor at MaltaToday
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