The Venice Commission, in its Code of good practice in the field of political parties – which is intended at parties and thus encourages self-regulation – states that “[p]olitical parties should not act against the values of the ECHR and the principle of equality. Parties must not discriminate against individuals on the basis of any ground prohibited by the ECHR.” This applies in particular to hate speech and during electoral campaigns – since elections are at the core of the political parties’ activity, and does not exclude that states legislate on the issue.