Scotland’s new hate crime laws could be used to ‘settle scores’, critics say

There are fears Scotland’s controversial new hate crime laws are being weaponized to “settle scores” and innocent people could end up on police databases.

Legislation will be introduced on 1 April to criminalize threatening or abusive behavior based on certain characteristics, including age, disability, sexual orientation and gender, which is intended to incite hatred. transgender identity.

The rules will apply to people’s private homes and online.

Women’s groups remain vocal in transgender debate Scotlandworried that social media posts could be used to target opponents.

Susan Smith, director of Women’s Movement Scotland, said: “This is a real mess.

“Much of it is very vague because the incitement to offend appears to be based on someone thinking someone has a hatred towards them and they can make a complaint and the police say they will investigate everything.”

“There will be a lot of malicious reporting,” Ms Smith added.

“We know that some people have made lists of people they want to target. They see this as an opportunity to settle scores and make a political point.”

JK Rowling and Elon Musk have publicly criticized the change, saying it erodes free speech.

Supporters of the law insist it will make Scotland more tolerant.

Rebecca Crowther, chief executive of the Scottish Equality Network, told Sky News: “This legislation will not make it possible for people to say things online that I might not agree with, that you might not agree with, that might make me Things that are upsetting, things that might make other people unhappy.” In the community.

“Freedom of speech is indeed important and the legislation defends it.

“People are free to say what they like, even if it may cause offense, or it may cause shock or upset, and that’s what we live with with free speech.

“What it legislates against is the potential for fear and panic to arise when free speech strays into abuse, and can also incite hatred or incite people to act on that hatred.”

Police Scotland is the UK’s second largest force dedicated to investigating every hate complaint it receives.

This comes against a backdrop of major changes to policing, which means some minor crimes will no longer be investigated due to budget cuts.

“Disaster is about to happen”

Lanarkshire shopkeeper Abdul Majeed said he was losing thousands of pounds a year to petty shoplifting, which was not fully investigated by the authorities.

He estimated the cumulative impact on his business at £10,000 a year and was “frustrated” by the contrast in policing priorities at the start of the new hate crime regime.

He described taking the matter personally: “We had a rogues’ gallery set up in the store because of the lack of prosecutions.

“We have the date and time of the shoplifting as well as some background information on the items they took and their appearance.

“I think all crime should be investigated, whether it’s a hate crime or a retail crime.”

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Those representing thousands of rank-and-file police officers say the two-hour online training course offered to prepare for enforcement is not good enough.

David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, called it a disaster waiting to happen.

He said: “I’m really concerned that mistakes may be made. Officers are stretched thin. We haven’t been given any extra resources to deal with this.

“Night shift staff must undergo two hours of online training.”

Police Scotland declined to be interviewed by Sky News on camera about the new laws.

A spokesman said in a statement: “Our training program has been developed in close consultation with the Diversity Staff Association to ensure that all protected characteristics under the new Act are clearly represented and articulated and that officers are prepared to respond to hate crimes and incidents Be fully prepared.”

“In addition to the training package, there is an extensive program of workshops to enable officers to gain more understanding and ask any questions they may have.”