The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act officially came into force on April 1 after being passed by MSPs back in 2021.
A 'controversial' new law surrounding the harm caused by hatred and prejudice has officially come into force in Scotland today.
It brings in new offences for abusive or threatening behavior meant to 'stir up hatred', based on prejudice towards certain characteristics. These include: The new laws came about after a review of existing hate crime legislation was carried out, which found that new and specific offences were needed when it came to stirring up hatred.
It can be verbal, physical or written and can take place anywhere in public or in private, including online. The Act has also raised the ire of policing bodies, with the Scottish Police Federation claiming training for officers is not enough and the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents raising concerns about the legislation being weaponised for political purposes.
This includes an explicit clause, a defence for the accused’s behaviour being “reasonable” and that the Act is compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
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