Popular Post Frankie 8,529 Posted April 1 Popular Post Share Posted April 1 Background New measures to tackle the harm caused by hatred and prejudice come into force today (1 April 2024). The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act will provide greater protection for victims and communities. It introduces new offences for threatening or abusive behaviour which is intended to stir up hatred based on prejudice towards characteristics including age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and variations in sex characteristics. These extra provisions will add to the long-standing stirring up racial hatred offences, which have been in place UK-wide since 1986. The new laws were developed following Lord Bracadale’s Independent Review of Hate Crime Legislation which concluded that new specific offences relating to stirring up hatred were needed. The legislation, which was passed by a majority of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament in 2021, was also subject to extensive consultation and engagement throughout, including with communities affected by hate crime. For your consideration 1. There is no requirement to show 'intent' in a person’s posts for an offence to have been committed. 2. If a post can be shown to be readable in Scotland it becomes actionable in Scotland. 3. Gersnet could be required, on issuance of a warrant, to provide the authorities with a user’s registration details and history of IP usage. 4. Be aware that various commonly used comments are now likely to be actionable. 5. With this in mind ask yourself if you would be prepared to make such comments in front of a police officer in public. Further reading https://www.gov.scot/news/new-hate-crime-laws-come-into-force/ https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2021/14/contents https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-68703684 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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