Recital (27) · Directive (EU) 2026/1472

(27)Glorification of serious criminal offences, as defined under national law, such as public provocation to commit a terrorist offence as defined in Article 5 of Directive (EU) 2017/541 of the European Parliament and of the Council^note, or paying tribute to the offender of a serious criminal offence, can result in victims being deprived of their dignity and cause them additional suffering or harm. Such victims should have access to the support and protection measures provided under this Directive. Such crimes can render victims particularly vulnerable to secondary and repeat victimisation, to intimidation and to retaliation. Public provocation to commit a terrorist offence comprising, inter alia, the glorification of terrorist acts, constitutes a criminal offence under Directive (EU) 2017/541. In addition, public incitement to acts of racism or xenophobia or publicly condoning, denying or grossly trivialising crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes constitute criminal offences under Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA^note. This Directive does not require Member States to criminalise the glorification of serious criminal offences, nor does it require the criminalisation of hate speech or hate crime. The Council Conclusions of 4 December 2023 on improving support and recognition of victims of terrorism include a valuable list of best practices and measures to better protect victims of such a crime. It is important that Member States also take measures to support victims of other types of crime, such as victims of sexual violence, who face a high risk of secondary victimisation and can suffer additional harm and deprivation of dignity from the glorification of such offences.