Criminal act of violation of equality: Scope and specificity

The basic principles underlying every democratic society are the rule of law, respect for human rights and freedom and equality of all citizens. Discrimination is a direct violation of these principles. Protection against discrimination requires an effective social reaction which involves taking appropriate measures in the first place of a preventive, and then repressive character. In the system of repressive measures, the criminal justice measures occupy a significant place. Their application must enable the sanction not only of violence, due to racial, ethnic, religious or other diversity, but also the incitement to such behavior. This requires monitoring of international standards in this area and their implementation in domestic legislation. The numerous changes and amendments of the Criminal Code also intervened in the sphere of personal rights and freedoms of man and citizen, in addition to the existing ones, as well as the introduction of new incriminations that protect these rights. The legal description of the criminal offense of violation of equality represents a specific definition of discrimination and the basis from which other crimes that violate the rights and freedoms of man were defined. This criminal offense provides the most complete criminal justice protection of human rights.