The work of the Council of Europe for democracy is strongly based on education:

education in schools, and education as a lifelong learning process of practising

democracy, such as in non-formal learning activities. Human rights education and

education for democratic citizenship form an integral part of what we have to secure to

make democracy sustainable.

Hate speech is one of the most worrying forms of racism and discrimination prevailing

across Europe and amplified by the Internet and social media. Hate speech online is the

visible tip of the iceberg of intolerance and ethnocentrism. Young people are directly

concerned as agents and victims of online abuse of human rights; Europe needs young

people to care and look after human rights, the life insurance for democracy.

Bookmarks is published to support the No Hate Speech Movement youth campaign of

the Council of Europe for human rights online. Bookmarks is useful for educators

wanting to address hate speech online from a human rights perspective, both inside and

outside the formal education system. The manual is designed for working with learners

aged 13 to 18 but the activities can be adapted to other age ranges.