The Court has consistently held there is little scope under Article 10(2) of the Convention for restrictions on political speech or on the debate of questions of public interest. However, while legitimate criticism of migration and asylum policies remains fully protected, the stigmatisation and public denigration of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers as individuals or as a group can be legitimately restricted by the state. In addition, such statements inciting hatred can also affect fundamental rights, namely those of the targeted persons or group(s), which the state may have the positive obligation to protect under Article 8 ECHR. Therefore, they raise an issue of compatibility and balancing with other fundamental rights. Moreover, the Venice Commission reminds that electoral campaigns are submitted by national legislation to specific rules which impact freedom of expression and that the Council of Europe has adopted recommendations focusing on such campaigns.