"Effective, proportionate and dissuasive criminal law provisions should be in place to prevent and combat hate crime, with priority given to identifying, recognising and recording the hate element of the crime," a statement released after a meeting of the Committee of Ministers reads.

Member states should ensure access to free legal aid for victims of hate crime, paying "special attention to children and young people", according to the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers.

"The hate element should be incorporated into criminal law either as an aggravating circumstance at sentencing, as part of the offence at the criminal charge stage, as a constituent part of stand-alone criminal offences, or through a combination of these techniques," it said.

Police officers should also be trained to recognise "indicators of bias" through mandatory modules in police academies, the Council of Europe said.

"The functions of specialised hate crime police investigators and specialised hate crime prosecutors should be developed (...). States should combat impunity and address any biased behaviour by law enforcement officials or other criminal justice professionals towards persons targeted by hate crime," it said.

The recommendation also focuses on monitoring and data collection by third parties, such as NGOs.

"Member states should ensure that educational institutions and educators contribute to developing a culture of inclusion, and that internet service providers identify and counter hate speech," the Council of Europe said.

The organisation added that the 46 member states should also promote a safe civic space in which civil society can operate and ensure adequate support and protection from threats and attacks.

The recommendation comes four days after three attacks and assaults on immigrants took place in Porto, in the Campo 24 de Agosto area, on Rua do Bonfim and on Rua Fernandes Tomás.

According to the PSP, the attacks were carried out by several groups, and five immigrants were taken to hospital due to their injuries.

Following the attacks, six men were identified and one was arrested for illegal possession of a weapon.

As there is a suspicion that a hate crime may have been committed, the case is now being investigated by the Polícia Judiciária.

The Council of Europe was established in 1949 to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and currently has 46 member states, including all member states of the European Union (EU).

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