Just had an email from forwomen Scotland. Pasting contents here, hopefully that's okay:
The Committee are meeting on Tuesday 2nd February to debate and vote on various amendments that have been proposed to the Hate Crime Bill.
There are several amendments that we think are vitally important to protect women and our free speech. Please take a few minutes to email the MSPs who sit on the Committee and ask them to back the following key amendments:
Amendment 31 by Johann Lamont to add sex as characteristic to Part 1 of the Bill (aggravation of offences by prejudice). This protection was recommended by Lord Bracadale and the Bill should not proceed without its inclusion. This does not stop any work by the working group on misogyny.
Amendment 89 by Johann Lamont to add the definition of sex which reflects that used in the Equality Act. Even if sex is to be added to the legislation at a later date it is important that the definition is laid down now to protect against subsequent redefinition.
Amendments 90, 91, 99B and 99C by Johann Lamont to ensure clarity on the definition of sexual orientation. Using 'opposite' instead of 'different' sex brings it in line with the Equality Act 2010 and the Offences Act 2009, and does not give the impression that there are more than 2 sexes.
Amendments 106, 108, 111 and 116 to change 'variations in sex characteristics' to the more accurate 'differences in sex development'.
Amendments 104, 107, 109, 113 to change the undefined 'transgender identity' to 'gender reassignment' to bring it in line with that defined in the Equality Act 2010.
Amendment 17 which would remove Part 2 of the Bill. The reaction from trans campaigners to the Government's Amendment 82 can leave no doubt to their intention to use the Hate Crime Bill to restrict women's free speech on advocating for their rights or to be critical of transgender ideology. We cannot see a way of avoiding this and therefore strongly believe the stirring up offences should be removed from the Bill in their entirety.
Amendment 82B will give the best protection to women's free speech should the Bill continue with Part 2.
Amendments 112, 103 and 82 would also be welcome as protection to our freedom of expression.
Please also ask the Committee MSPs to support:
Amendments 39A and 40A to remove the term 'abusive'.
Amendments 41, 44 and 84 to provide a 'dwelling defence'.
Amendment 55 to require the consent of Crown Counsel to any prosecution.
Anyone can contact the nine MSPs who sit on the Committee, you do not have to be a constituent. Their email addresses are:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
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[email protected]
Please make sure your emails are sent before Tuesday! Thank you.