Scotland Hate Crime Bill - Urgent action before Monday 22 Feb 2021

[NonnyMouse1337]

The Justice Committee has published four types of free speech clauses that could be added to the Hate Crime Bill.

There is now an extremely tight consultation window for people to send in their views on these proposed amendments. The deadline is 10am on Monday 22 February.

The Committee has stressed that it will not publish any submissions that do not relate to the amendments on freedom of expression. This is because it has finished its consideration at Stage 1 and Stage 2.

Free to Disagree campaign group have provided some guidance on responding to the call for views.

I think For Women Scotland and maybe MBM policy group may also publish something soon. Will post it here when it is available.

mailchi.mp/freetodisagree/urge-msps-to-call-for-more-changes-to-hate-crime-bill-7479981

The Committee has published 4 proposed free speech clauses. Options 1 and 2 would allow 'discussion and criticism' of age, disability, sexual orientation, transgender identity and variations in sex characteristics, and 'antipathy, dislike, ridicule and insult' against religion. Options 3 and 4 would allow 'discussion and criticism' of all the characteristics listed.

What should I say?

In your own words:

* Tell MSPs that the proposed free speech provisions are not broad enough to protect freedom of expression on sensitive LGBT issues.

* Point out that debate about contentious issues linked to religion, sexual orientation and transgender identity has to go further than mere 'discussion and criticism'.

* Suggest that scrutiny of this important aspect of the bill should be extended and, if necessary, delayed until the next parliament.

* Point out that opposing the stirring up hatred offences would not leave minority groups with less protection. The law already punishes 'threatening and abusive' behaviour and offences aggravated by prejudice are treated more seriously.

* Religion and belief is a controversial subject and people must be free to argue about it without being accused of a hate crime. The Committee must adopt the most robust version of the religious free speech clause.

* Ask why the Government proposing something weaker than the sexual orientation free speech clause in section 12 of their bill. That same wording has been in effect without controversy in England and Wales for over a decade.

* Transgender identity is a sensitive issue for both sides of the debate. Free speech here needs stronger protection than is currently proposed. The over-reaction to the very idea of a trans free speech clause just goes to prove the need for it.

The simplest response is to vote the damn SNP and their entire police state, anti women, anti British, incompetent administration out of office in the May elections. If they haven’t already torn themselves apart over the lying and perjury of the Salmond affair by then.

Another weekend another submission. Only 16 hours to go.

Done - I hate how intimidating I find it to write to them (yet again) about this stuff!

Last call! Please try to get something in, even if it's just a few short lines. The buggers need to know that they can't escape scrutiny.

Up again 🥃

I am struggling a bit to write this; I have read through the MBM guidance but is anyone willing to share a sample of how they have set out their concerns in slightly less legalese language?

Have you had a look at For women Scotland's suggestions, greatpurple?

Or the 'free to disagree' one?

Roughly, I said that I though the hate crime bill was bad law making, and disagreed with it, but if they insisted on one of the four choices they should choose option 1. I used the ForWomen letter as a basis and then adapted it.

Done - I hate how intimidating I find it to write to them (yet again) about this stuff!

Their job is to represent their constituents and to serve the populace. There's no reason to feel intimidated. You may well get an arsey reply back - I've had them from Greens and SNPers. But that's the limit of it.

• not had a reply for this letter, I should add! But on affiliated subjects.

Can you write if you don’t live in Scotland?

Here's the call, Terranean.

www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/117116.aspx

It doesn't mention any restrictions on where respondents live.

I think if you are ever likely to visit Scotland at any point in future, it could potentially impact on you.

Doing mine and will polish and send before 10 tomorrow.

Down to the wire.

The short time frame and brief debate shows us what contempt there is for even a brief review of this issue and how they seem hell bent on pushing this through, come what may.

It's like Stonewall manages the time in Scotland and has turned all the clocks forward.

Well, Sturgeon did say she hoped a consultation would persuade people to align with the SNP, as far as I recall. They make up their mind and bulldoze it through, the pretence that they follow democratic process is really shown as risible when you consider how they've CHANGED THE FUCKING LAW to stop Joanna Cherry standing for FM, and tried to do the same for other 'problematic' people.

@ArabellaScott

Done - I hate how intimidating I find it to write to them (yet again) about this stuff!

Their job is to represent their constituents and to serve the populace. There's no reason to feel intimidated. You may well get an arsey reply back - I've had them from Greens and SNPers. But that's the limit of it.

Oh I know - that’s why it annoys me that I find it awkward regardless it’s stupid stuff like how to address correctly & format etc

I just honestly wouldn't worry too much - they can't expect all the niceties with such a short timeframe.

@ArabellaScott

I just honestly wouldn't worry too much - they can't expect all the niceties with such a short timeframe.

I know! I really do know I just overthink it because I’m a dafty

I don’t care really I WILL be heard even if it means sending it in crayon!

Thanks OP and Arabella.

I have family in Scotland and children considering uni there, so I did it!

Remember to email your submission (word doc) to

[email protected]

by 10am on Monday 22nd February 2021

You can also send a copy of the submission to all eight of yous MSPs.

9 mins to go and it's in.

I really hope they listen and take a more considered approach. One weekend to submit is a joke.

Committee will be streamed live at 2.30.

Today, it emerged that the working group have no real intention of considering sex as a PC
www.theguardian.com/law/2021/feb/22/ill-set-no-limits-on-which-women-to-protect-from-hate-says-helena-kennedy?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&fbclid=IwAR0obbE_3D25YQ8xPqdL9ELE-XNjg6HW0gSPDBfMRb_ZhLVPIr0o3HcP8o8

Link to watch online: www.scottishparliament.tv/

Good luck this afternoon Susan. The whole thing is enraging. Scotgov have never really listened or engaged with women at all. This law is going to end up prosecuting women for knowing basic biology and offering no protection for crimes against them.

Submissions have been mostly published.

In total, at the deadline, the Committee received in excess of 600 written submissions from organisations not attending the Committee meeting on 22 February 2021 and individuals. A significant number did not meet the terms of the call for views or were identical/similar in nature and so were not published as separate submissions. Around 175 were not able to be checked and formatted before this paper had to be published. A revised version of this paper will be published in due course.

thank you everyone who responded - I've got a feeling my response was particuarly shit - i'm worn out

Is that a good number? I have no idea how many these things usually get?

I think it's not bad, considering we had barely a fucking weekend to hear about it and get something in. Risible if they disregard subs for not being up to scratch when they've done it like this. Effectively, only people who are very closely watching the case and/or who are tipped off about it will be able to respond. Reminds me of when jobs are 'advertised'with a deadline of a couple of days and it's so clearly just been done to tick a box to say the public were made aware.

My submission isn't listed. I did actually have a preferred option (although commented on how poor I felt all the options were for protecting women.) I get suspicious when they have spurious reasons for rejecting lots of submissions