Critics have slammed the SNP’s new hate crime bill that promises to investigate every form of hate crime, which some argue is a “recipe for disaster.”
SNP Hate Crime Laws Approved
The Scottish National Party (SP) have passed a new hate crime ruling commencing on April Fools Day, with critics finding the irony in the chosen date.
Worries About Freedom of Speech
Critics are concerned that the rulings will affect their freedom of speech as the legislation protects trans rights in Scotland.
Lengthy Debate and Amendments
Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) debated over a long, two-day period about how the legislation would safeguard both the LGBTQ community and freedom of speech.
Consolidation of Laws
The law creates a new crime called “stirring up hatred,” which includes hate crimes related to age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and transgender identity.
Significant Modifications
After strong backlash from members of society, including celebrities, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf made significant alterations to the original bill.
Yousaf “Proud” of New Bill
Yousaf said in a statement “The Bill’s passage has shown Holyrood at its very best – a collaborative, diverse and determined Parliament which we should all be proud of.”
Praising the Scrutiny
Yousaf praised what he called the “Robust scrutiny” of the original bill, arguing that it helped the SNP distinguish between what is a hate crime and what is freedom of speech.
Finding the Balance
Yousaf said the bill finds “the right balance between protecting groups targeted by hate crime and respecting people’s rights to free speech.”
Police Scotland Educational Video
To explain the new laws, Police Scotland issued an educational video that featured a “Hate Monster” who “weighs” the victim down, signalling offence caused.
Hate Video’s Warning
The video goes on to say that the “Hate Monster” gets larger in size until it’s “weighing you down” and “then before ye know it, you’ve committed a hate crime” it says.
Controversial Aspect
The legislation has drawn criticism due to the possibility of someone being arrested for causing offence even if they may not have meant to in the first place.
Concerns Over Gender-Based Hate Crimes
The bill is set to protect women’s rights, including that of trans-women, although some argue it does not protect women’s rights as it includes the trans community.
SNP Criticizes Women’s Rights
Member of the SNP, Joanna Cherry, argued “This new law leaves women unprotected from hate crime,” despite its intentions at trying to protect women’s rights.
Cherry’s Fears of Trans Rights Activists
Cherry argued that trans rights activists would “weaponize” the new ruling to “try to silence, and worse still, criminalize women who do not share their beliefs.”
“Shambles” Bill Slammed by Tory SMP
Despite the Justice Secretary’s praise for the bill, the Shadow Justice Secretary, Liam Kerr, argued that the bill was “a shambles from the start.”
Scottish Police Point out Flaws
Members of the Scottish Police were quick to criticize the bill, with General Secretary David Kennedy arguing that the lack of police training before the bill commences would be a huge flaw.
“Recipe for Disaster”
Kennedy argued that the police “were only receiving a two-hour online training package,” calling it a “recipe for disaster.”
Low-Level Hate Crimes
Kennedy argued that the police wouldn’t have time to deal with the “low-level” hate crimes that the bill promises would be addressed.
Wasting Police Time?
Kennedy said, “They can barely attend the calls that are in law at the moment never mind a new act coming in place.”
Legislation Rushed
Although the bill had good intentions to make everyone feel inclusive, many critics include members of the SNP and police themselves, showing the rushed nature of the legislation.
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Oscar Davies, an expert in US and UK politics and sports, is renowned for his sharp and engaging writing style, appealing to a broad spectrum of readers.