New York, NY, May 5, 2009 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today presented recommendations to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on how countries can more effectively address hate crimes by implementing existing legislation, and translating law into action.  ADL is a member of the U.S. government delegation to an international gathering in Vienna, Austria of hate crime experts, government officials and civil society organizations from across the 56 country region.

 "Without an effective law enforcement and community response, isolated incidents can explode into widespread community tension," said Steven M. Freeman, ADL Associate Civil Rights Director.  "However, experience teaches us that improved enforcement of hate crimes laws can have a significant deterrent impact."

ADL outlined a menu of practical tools to overcome obstacles faced by police and prosecutors in countering hate crime in the areas of:

• Building trust between police and communities;
• Helping law enforcement effectively utilize training and other tools;
• Hate crime data collection.

Over the past five years, ADL has taken a leadership role in presenting resources and recommendations to the OSCE on such topics as best practices to confront anti-Semitism, anti-bias education, hate crime data collection, combating youth violence, hate on the Internet, and Holocaust education.  The League consulted with other experts in drafting the OSCE publication, "Hate Crimes Laws: A Practical Guide."

Further information on the League's involvement with the OSCE is available at http://www.adl.org/osce.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.