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Scotland moves forward on hate crime

Hate crime legislation in Scotland is to be strengthened to protect disabled people and those from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered communities.

THE SCOTTISH Government has given its backing to Green MSP Patrick Harvie’s proposal for a Sentencing of Offences Aggravated by Prejudice (Scotland) Bill. The legislation will be taken forward early this year as a handout Member’s Bill.

Mr MacAskill said: ‘Living in safe and strong communities is an essential part of our positive vision for Scotland. For too many people that vision is blurred by the fear of crime and intolerance.

No one in Scotland should be targeted or victimised because of their sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability. Our clear aim is to prevent and deter crimes. But where crime does happen it will not be tolerated.”

“While good government needs a clear vision we must also deal decisively with immediate problems. To do otherwise would compromise public safety - that is why I am delighted to announce today Government support for a bill which will extend statutory aggravations to cover crimes motivated by malice or ill will towards victims based on their sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability.

“No one in Scotland should be targeted or victimised because of their sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability. Our clear aim is to prevent and deter crimes. But where crime does happen it will not be tolerated.”

Mr Harvie said: “For too long our justice system has been oblivious to the motivation behind hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Scots, as well as Scots with disabilities. These proposals will, if Parliament backs them, mean these divisive and scarring crimes are deterred more effectively and taken more seriously, just as racially motivated attacks already are.

“We want to see a Scotland where these offences are made a thing of the past and where all Scots are treated with dignity and respect. This bill would also mean that proper records of this kind of attacks are kept for the first time, so we can see what progress is being made each year towards that goal.

“I am personally very pleased to have the support of Kenny MacAskill and the Scottish Government for my Bill. This is how the new politics should work - Government and opposition parties working closely together on issues where they agree - and I now urge Members from all parties to support these changes in Parliament.”

Morag Alexander, Scotland Commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: ‘If you have a mental health problem or a learning disability, or if you are gay or transgendered, you are more likely to have experienced abuse, threats and violence, simply because of who you are - this is unacceptable in 21st Century Scotland.

“We welcome these proposals to give the police, prosecutors and the courts the powers they need to monitor and tackle these types of offence. If we are to create a Scotland which is ambitious, fair and confident then it is only right that disabled, lesbian, gay and transgender people are able to go about their daily lives as equal citizens - these proposals are major step forward in making that happen.”

Tim Hopkins, Policy and Legislation worker for the Equality Network said: “We welcome the Government’s support for Patrick’s bill and look forward to its progress through the Parliament. One in four gay people have been victims of homophobic violence, and two thirds have been threatened or harassed. This bill is a vital tool to help the justice system recognise the scale of the problem and respond accordingly.”