The Scottish Government is calling on the public to help shape hate crime law in a consultation which runs to February 24. ‘One Scotland: Hate Has No Home Here’ follows Lord Bracadale’s review of existing hate crime legislation in Scotland which included recommendations that more statutory aggravations should be created for age and gender.
Covered are gender based prejudice and misogyny; and sectarianism; the consultation seeks views on how this could be tackled through law based on the findings of the Working Group on Defining Sectarianism in Scots Law. The public responses will inform the development of a hate crime bill which will be laid before Holyrood later in the current session of Parliament.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice Humza Yousaf was at 6VT, a youth café and third-party reporting centre, in Edinburgh to launch the consultation. He said: “Hate crime and prejudice are completely unacceptable and we are absolutely committed to tackling them. Following Lord Bracadale’s review we now want to hear the nation’s view on what our hate crime law should look like.
“The public’s voice is absolutely crucial in this process and we are determined to take this opportunity to shape our legislation so that it is fit for 21st century Scotland.
“We know that legislation in itself is not enough to build the inclusive Scotland we want and aspire to, but having robust law in place is vital so that it is clear to all that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable in society.”
The SNP Government is running a series of public events across Scotland, from December to February.
