Norwegian MP reported following new hate crime act for stating only women can give birth

[RabbitOfCaerbannog]

From Women's Human Rights Campaign Norway

twitter.com/whrcn/status/1377166845673840646?s=21

Well this is very predicable isn’t it. It will be happening in Scotland soon.

I'm not surprised, but I'm furious.

Only women give birth.

Maybe ‘being reported’ will be a good thing. Maybe people in Norway will start to realise what’s going on.

Whalen they try to introduce a similar bill in England we’ll be able to point to this.

It's bloody ridiculous

There is no silencing of women taking place. None. 🤐

When I read up on this new law, there were reassurances given by Norwegian politicians and legal experts that because the original hate crime law only saw prosecutions for serious offences connected to actual crimes that there could not be a prosecution for this type of statement.

That may yet prove to be true of course, but our argument is that these laws as written will lead to people being reported and then being investigated by the police for statememts that should be protected as free speech. As seems to be the case here.

This is inimical to a progressive, democratic society, and I hope that people who cannot understand this never find themselves at the wrong end of these new blasphemy laws. Because that is an experience I wouldn't wish on anyone.

I can understand the point about gender. You can identify as whatever gender of the 100+ you want and give birth, sure. But only women can give birth, regardless of their gender. I don't understand why people think there isn't a word for the class of people that can do this. It's women. Sex matters.

That's a powerful quote, Maud

Although it is good that these kinds of things bring daylight, we have to remember that there are people suffering the stress, stigma and expense of police investigations behind every single one of these events. The issue of police resources is also pretty infuriating.

The Secret Barrister wrote about "The Innocence Tax" in their book a few years ago.

Being prosecuted for a crime is often a punishment in itself as if you don't qualify for legal aid and aren't fabulously wealthy, you may find yourself having to spend all your savings and sell your house to fund your defence. You don't get it back if you're found not guilty.

Never mind the loss to your reputation and probably your livelihood.

Chilling effect.

@EsmaCannonball

Although it is good that these kinds of things bring daylight, we have to remember that there are people suffering the stress, stigma and expense of police investigations behind every single one of these events. The issue of police resources is also pretty infuriating.

The world has gone mad....

Is it safe to say "Only women can't give birth"?

To my surprise, the Archbishop of Cant. (the one who's finally admitted he didn't marry Megan whatsit and that bloke in a flower-bedecked bower down the bottom of the garden) has spoken up for freedom of speech: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9421573/Archbishop-Canterbury-warns-cancel-culture-huge-threat-future-Church.html

Ridiculous. Better cancel any attempt to study Biology at any level, all Medical degrees, most sensible Social Science analysis - how could anyone think this was acceptable?