Scotland’s controversial new hate crime laws have come into force.
The new measures aim to tackle the harm caused by hatred and prejudice but have come under fire from opponents who claim they could stifle free speech and be weaponised to “settle scores”.
The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act came into force on Monday 1 April and aims to provide greater protection for victims and communities.
It consolidates existing legislation and introduces new offences for threatening or abusive behaviour which is intended to stir up hatred based on prejudice towards characteristics such as age, disability, religion, sexual orientation and transgender identity.
The new provisions add to the laws on the statute book for race, which have been in place UK-wide since 1986.
‘Hatred has been far too pervasive in our society’
Speaking to Sky News about the new legislation, First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “In terms of acts of hatred, I think anybody would recognise in the last few years… hatred has been far too pervasive in our society.
“We have to take strong action against it. We have to have a zero-tolerance approach to it.
“I’ve got every confidence in police investigating matters of hatred appropriately, and of course making sure that we protect freedom of expression so vital to our democracy.”
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Sky’s Connor Gillies explains the new laws
The new laws were developed following Lord Bracadale’s independent review of hate crime legislation which concluded that new specific offences…
