Increased scrutiny demanded within government agencies to intensify monitoring of extreme-right factions and related content on platforms such as Deport Them Now.
In a bid to enhance inclusivity and address issues related to hate speech and hate crimes, the Spanish government has been actively engaged in combating racist and xenophobic groups, particularly those linked to far-right movements.
## Measures Against Racism and Xenophobia
Spain has a national action plan to prevent racism and xenophobia, which runs until 2026. This plan aims to promote inclusion and address issues related to hate speech and hate crimes. The Ministry of Interior has a zero-tolerance policy for hate speech and hate crimes, and efforts are made to ensure coordination between police and other agencies to improve the reporting of hate crimes. This has led to an increase in reported incidents, indicating better reporting mechanisms rather than a rise in actual crimes.
Police officers receive training to combat hate speech effectively, and the government provides subsidies to civil society organizations working to prevent hate speech and hate crimes, fostering a collaborative approach to addressing these issues.
## Specific Protocol for Local Police
While there is no specific mention of a newly implemented protocol for local police, the emphasis on coordination with other agencies and training suggests that local law enforcement is involved in broader strategies. Typically, such protocols would involve enhanced reporting and response mechanisms for hate crimes, ensuring that local police are equipped to handle these incidents effectively.
## Challenges and Concerns
One significant challenge the government faces is the spread of hate speech on social media, with low removal rates from platforms like YouTube and X. This has led to calls for greater digital accountability.
The influence of far-right movements is another concern, although not directly mentioned, the general context suggests that the government is aware of this and is positioned to counter their impact through inclusive policies and condemnation of hate activities.
## Recent Developments
In a recent development, the Minister of the Interior announced the advancement of a "specific protocol of action in hate crimes for Local or Municipal Police," in collaboration with the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces. The dissemination of the activity of the Center for Coordination of Information on Radicalization (CCIR), integrated in the CITCO, will be intensified, allowing citizens to provide information on possible cases of radicalization or violent extremism.
The State Secretariat of Security of the Ministry of the Interior is sending guidelines to the National Police and Civil Guard to designate racist and xenophobic groups linked to far-right movements as "priority targets" for analysis and investigation.
Recent actions include the closure of two channels on the Telegram social network from which messages from an ultra-movement were disseminated. Three individuals have been detained in connection to the incident in Torre Pacheco, with the last individual being remanded in prison by the Ertzaintza in the Basque Country.
The objective is to improve the detection of illicit content that incites violence and to urge its removal. Marlaska, the Director General of the National Police, has praised the effective work of the Civil Guard and the security forces in the "unacceptable" aggression in Torre Pacheco.
Overall, Spain's efforts focus on creating a comprehensive framework to combat racism and xenophobia, involving both government and civil society organizations. However, challenges persist, particularly in the digital realm.
Spain's national action plan to prevent racism and xenophobia, which runs until 2026, also includes initiatives to promote international understanding through sports. The Ministry of Interior's commitment to addressing hate speech and hate crimes extends to collaborating with civil society organizations that aim to increase global awareness and combat discrimination in sports.
In an effort to counter the influence of far-right movements, the Spanish government is also working to established international partnerships in sports, utilizing sports as a platform to promote unity and diversity, thereby discouraging hate speech and hate crimes.
