Scotland's Revised "Hate Crime" Law, active on April 1, 2024. Orwellian, again.

[icehorse]

Are you critical of any religions? That could be a crime in Scotland.
Are you critical of trans women competing in women's sports? Another potential crime in Scotland.
Are you ever critical of a person who happens to be black or hispanic? You might be in trouble in Scotland.
Are you critical of women peacefully protesting to maintain safe spaces for women? You're good to be as "hateful" as you want.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Another aspect of global authoritarianism on the rise.

It's only going to get worse. Not better.

 

[Revoltingest]

Are you critical of any religions? That could be a crime in Scotland.
Are you critical of trans women competing in women's sports? Another potential crime in Scotland.
Are you ever critical of a person who happens to be black or hispanic? You might be in trouble in Scotland.
Are you critical of women peacefully protesting to maintain safe spaces for women? You're good to be as "hateful" as you want.

You'd better stay away from Scotland.
And Revoltistan. (There's a warrant outstanding.)

 

[Brickjectivity]

That could be a crime in Scotland.

...and according to some it could allow UK citizens to be extradited to Scotland should they write something offensive on social networks. What offensive means in Scotland I'm not sure.

 

[anna.]

Humza Yousaf has hit back at “disinformation and inaccuracy” surrounding Scotland’s controversial hate crime act, after the Scottish Conservative leader, Douglas Ross, suggested the new legislation would result in “innocent people being prosecuted”.

Yousaf, Scotland’s first minister, said “a lot of disinformation” about the reach of the act had been “spread on social media, through some inaccurate media reporting, and by political opponents”. . . .

He referred extensively to a newspaper column published on Thursday morning by Adam Tomkins, a former Tory MSP and convener of Holyrood’s justice committee, who was closely involved with the passage of the bill in 2021.

Tomkins insisted that “offensive speech is not criminalised by this legislation … just because you feel offended by what someone has said does not make it a hate crime”.

He wrote: “Asserting that sex is a biological fact or that it is not changed just by virtue of the gender by which someone chooses to identify is not and never can be a hate crime under this legislation.”

Humza Yousaf criticises ‘disinformation’ over new Scottish hate crime law

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross claims law coming into force in April could lead to ‘innocent people being prosecuted’

www.theguardian.com

 

[Twilight Hue]

Humza Yousaf has hit back at “disinformation and inaccuracy” surrounding Scotland’s controversial hate crime act, after the Scottish Conservative leader, Douglas Ross, suggested the new legislation would result in “innocent people being prosecuted”.

Yousaf, Scotland’s first minister, said “a lot of disinformation” about the reach of the act had been “spread on social media, through some inaccurate media reporting, and by political opponents”. . . .

He referred extensively to a newspaper column published on Thursday morning by Adam Tomkins, a former Tory MSP and convener of Holyrood’s justice committee, who was closely involved with the passage of the bill in 2021.

Tomkins insisted that “offensive speech is not criminalised by this legislation … just because you feel offended by what someone has said does not make it a hate crime”.

He wrote: “Asserting that sex is a biological fact or that it is not changed just by virtue of the gender by which someone chooses to identify is not and never can be a hate crime under this legislation.”

Humza Yousaf criticises ‘disinformation’ over new Scottish hate crime law

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross claims law coming into force in April could lead to ‘innocent people being prosecuted’

www.theguardian.com

I'm sure the US will be willing to loan Mary Poppins for the Scotts.

 

[icehorse]

Humza Yousaf has hit back at “disinformation and inaccuracy” surrounding Scotland’s controversial hate crime act, after the Scottish Conservative leader, Douglas Ross, suggested the new legislation would result in “innocent people being prosecuted”.

Yousaf, Scotland’s first minister, said “a lot of disinformation” about the reach of the act had been “spread on social media, through some inaccurate media reporting, and by political opponents”. . . .

He referred extensively to a newspaper column published on Thursday morning by Adam Tomkins, a former Tory MSP and convener of Holyrood’s justice committee, who was closely involved with the passage of the bill in 2021.

Tomkins insisted that “offensive speech is not criminalised by this legislation … just because you feel offended by what someone has said does not make it a hate crime”.

He wrote: “Asserting that sex is a biological fact or that it is not changed just by virtue of the gender by which someone chooses to identify is not and never can be a hate crime under this legislation.”

Humza Yousaf criticises ‘disinformation’ over new Scottish hate crime law

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross claims law coming into force in April could lead to ‘innocent people being prosecuted’

www.theguardian.com

And that's why I provided a copy of the actual bill, so that we can avoid all the middlemen

 

[McBell]

And that's why I provided a copy of the actual bill, so that we can avoid all the middlemen

um...

As required under Rule 9.3.2A of the Parliament’s Standing Orders,​

these Explanatory Notes are published to accompany the Hate Crime and​

Public Order (Scotland) Bill, introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 23​

April 2020.​

The PDF file linked to in the OP​

​

Since I am not all that familiar with how Scotland presents its law on the internet...
It appears the linked PDF file in the OP is to Explanatory Notes for the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill.
Is that the same as the actual law?

 

[icehorse]

um...

As required under Rule 9.3.2A of the Parliament’s Standing Orders,​

these Explanatory Notes are published to accompany the Hate Crime and​

Public Order (Scotland) Bill, introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 23​

April 2020.​

The PDF file linked to in the OP​

​

Since I am not all that familiar with how Scotland presents its law on the internet...
It appears the linked PDF file in the OP is to Explanatory Notes for the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill.
Is that the same as the actual law?

That's a good question. When you go to the government site to read the actual bill, it provides a link to the file I provided. so the file I provided came from the Scottish government.

 

[icehorse]

Another take:

 

[Altfish]

She'll be disappointed ...

JK Rowling will not be arrested under new Scottish hate law, say police

‘No further action’ over posts by author and gender-critical activist despite complaints

www.theguardian.com

 

[icehorse]

She'll be disappointed ...

JK Rowling will not be arrested under new Scottish hate law, say police

‘No further action’ over posts by author and gender-critical activist despite complaints

www.theguardian.com

Not surprising that they don't want to take her on. As I understand it though, her intention is to support anyone (focused on women's rights), who DOES fall foul.

 

[icehorse]

Nice summary of JKR's strategy - Go JKR !!

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1774959860502708291

 

[Altfish]

Jonathan Pie's take... NSFW!!

 

[icehorse]

One week in and already over 7,000 possible "hate crimes" have been reported. And here I was, having Scotland on my bucket list

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/sc...-reports-after-new-hate-crime-law-2024-04-10/