Hate crime — Lögreglan · Iceland

Direct answer

Violence, threats or damage motivated by origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability is a hate crime with higher penalties, and it is under-reported — which is why reporting matters. Lögreglan — kæra (444 1000): say explicitly that you believe the motive was hate, and ask for it to be recorded as such. Jafnréttisstofa / kærunefnd jafnréttismála (460 6200) — the equality body — supports victims, monitors how the police handle it and can take a discrimination case in parallel. Bjarkarhlíð — þjónustumiðstöð fyrir þolendur ofbeldis (553 3000) offers free support, also if you decide not to report.

Call firstLögreglan — kæra

Report toJafnréttisstofa / kærunefnd jafnréttismála

If that failsBjarkarhlíð — þjónustumiðstöð fyrir þolendur ofbeldis

🗣️ What to say

"On [date] at [place] I was [attacked / threatened / insulted] by [description]. They said [words] which show it was because of my [origin / religion / orientation / …]. Witnesses: [names]. I want this recorded as a hate crime."

🪜 Step by step

Safety and medical careGet out of the situation; see a doctor and ask for injuries to be documented.
EvidencePhotos, the exact words used, witnesses' contacts, camera locations nearby.
Report to Lögreglan — kæraUse the words "hate crime" or "bias motive". Ask for a copy of the report and the case number.
Tell Jafnréttisstofa / kærunefnd jafnréttismálaEquality bodies track these cases, support victims, and can intervene if the police do not take it seriously.
Support: Bjarkarhlíð — þjónustumiðstöð fyrir þolendur ofbeldisCounselling, help with the process, compensation claims — free.

📇 All contacts

Lögreglan — kæraReport online or at a stationAlways — the basis for bank, insurer and platform📞 444 1000 🔗 www.logreglan.is/thjonusta/kaera-brot

Jafnréttisstofa / kærunefnd jafnréttismálaAdvice and rulings on discriminationFor discrimination at work, housing, services📞 460 6200 🔗 www.jafnretti.is

Bjarkarhlíð — þjónustumiðstöð fyrir þolendur ofbeldisFree support, advice, compensation claimsAfter any crime📞 553 3000 🔗 www.bjarkarhlid.is

Gjafsókn (dómsmálaráðuneytið) / Lögfræðiaðstoð OratorsLegal aid on low income; free student legal adviceWhen you cannot afford a lawyer🔗 www.stjornarradid.is/verkefni/log-og-rettur/gjafsokn

❓ Frequently asked

The police did not record the motive

Ask in writing for the motive to be added; involve Jafnréttisstofa / kærunefnd jafnréttismála. Recording the bias motive matters for the charge and for statistics.

It was online

Hate speech online is prosecutable; save screenshots with URLs and report to the platform and the police (see the online-harassment page).

I do not want to report but need help

Bjarkarhlíð — þjónustumiðstöð fyrir þolendur ofbeldis and community organisations support you without a report. Some countries have third-party reporting so the incident is counted anonymously.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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“report hate crime Iceland”
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✊ I was attacked or threatened because of who I am — who do I report it to?