Croatia and Poland signed on to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s police training program to combat hate crimes. New police recruits have been targeted for the training, which includes learning how to investigate and combat hate crime. Police in the former Eastern Bloc long have been criticized by victims and nongovernmental organizations for their insensitivity to violations of existing anti-racism laws, including anti-Semitic incidents that range from verbal abuse to cemetery desecration and assault. Conducted by British and U.S. experts, the OSCE training is meant to change that trend and is tailored to the type of hate crimes that occur in specific countries. Serbia and Ukraine also have expressed interest in the program, according to the OSCE. The training program was introduced last year with pilot programs in Hungary and Spain.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
