Scotland's new hate crime law, which came into effect on April 1, 2024, has sparked widespread controversy and concern among citizens and officials alike. The legislation has led to a significant increase in complaints, with reports indicating a rate of one per minute and an 8,000-case backlog. Critics argue that the law poses a threat to free speech and could force police to make cuts or reduce services due to the overwhelming burden of handling hate crime complaints. Senior police officers have warned that the law will necessitate staff working overtime, potentially impacting the policing of actual crimes. The law's broad scope, which includes the potential for prosecution over speech in the privacy of one's home, has been particularly contentious. High-profile figures, including JK Rowling, have voiced opposition, and a police chief revealed that less than one percent of reported hate crimes are turning into actual investigations. Amidst the backlash, only one in five Scots reportedly support the draconian law, and the SNP government faces criticism for pushing forward with the legislation despite these concerns.
A change in the law from April 1 aims to better protect people in Scotland against hate crimes. But days after its introduction, the new law remains controversial. Opponents fear for their right to freedom of speech. https://t.co/4Jz4GPhBTY
On tonight’s show, I spoke to law lecturer @michaelpforan about the problems with Scotland’s new hate crime law. https://t.co/HVpwQFvmgH
'They were acutely aware of this' Michael Foran says the SNP pressed ahead with its hate crime law, despite knowing activists were 'attempting to weaponise the police against their political opponents'. https://t.co/iXxKLcUOWy
On tonight’s show, I spoke to barrister @SamFowles about his support for Scotland’s new hate crime laws and why he believes they are necessary to protect trans people. https://t.co/a6vXXi7hP8
'If you specifically hate someone because they're trans, that's going to be a crime' Sam Fowles clarifies the restrictions to free speech incurred by the SNP's new hate crime law in Scotland. https://t.co/Q1zS8ph8Ov
Under Scotland's Hate Crime and Public Order Act, citizens may be prosecuted for speech in the privacy of their own home - from David Thunder's Freedom Blog Scotland's Hate Crime and Public Order Act 2021 came into effect on April 1st 2024. Given how egregiously it violates the… https://t.co/owzP5AsWJU
Women Gather in Scotland to ‘Test’ New Fascist ‘Hate Crime’ Law Surrounded By Screaming, Hostile Trans Activists via @gatewaypundit https://t.co/3AvAFUBzHr
Tonight on Free Speech Nation… • Barrister @SamFowles makes the case FOR the new Scottish hate crime law. • Lecturer in public law @michaelpforan makes the case AGAINST the new Scottish hate crime law. • Journalist and author @Ella_M_Whelan on NHS interference in the role… https://t.co/8hpjJWdB6A
Just One in Five Scots Back Draconian Hate Speech Law, as Leftist SNP Government Set for Big Election Defeat https://t.co/3Sq8mZszUm
Police chief reveals less than one per cent of all 'hate crimes' reported in Scotland are turning into 'actual investigations' - as JK Rowling leads backlash against Humza Yousaf's 'authoritarian' law https://t.co/1mCiMIuZq2 https://t.co/shkaHTnnoW
‘It’s a deep and serious infringement on our human rights.’ Feminist Julie Bindel says Scotland’s new hate crime law is ‘absolutely bonkers.’ https://t.co/8EZDcGYUpj
Scotland's papers: Hate crime complaints and rubbish raker plans https://t.co/ADZwsXKZ3A
Following the entry into force of the Scottish hate crime law on Monday, Scots are reporting crimes - presumably, most of them the new speech crimes created by the law - at a rate of one per minute. There's an 8,000-case backlog, growing quickly. @ASI https://t.co/2kxR2SXKnC
Following the entry into force of the Scottish hate crime law on Monday, Scots are reporting crimes - presumably, most of them the new speech crimes created by the law - at a rate of one per minute. There's an 8,000-case backlog. https://t.co/2kxR2SXKnC
Following the enactment of the Scottish hate crime law on Monday, Scots are reporting crimes - presumably, most of them the new speech crimes created by the law - at a rate of one per minute. There's an 8,000-case backlog. https://t.co/2kxR2SXKnC
One complaint a minute being made under shambolic Scots hate law as almost 8,000 complaints leave police swamped https://t.co/dk6Fo93Xsl https://t.co/oiqRaHeOfg
'They're lying! They know what they're doing' @joshxhowie @nickdixoncomic @LewisSchaffer discuss how Police Scotland will be forced to make cuts to focus on policing the new hate crime law, one of Sunday's top stories. https://t.co/HCFWmdPFul
Scotland's new hate crime law is already proving to be going down like a cup of sick, says Nana Akua https://t.co/hnzDx5t5XA
‘I’m afraid this legislation is already proving to be going down like a cup of sick, just like Humza’s great mentor Nicola Sturgeon's gender recognition reform bill.’ @NanaAkua1 brands Scotland’s new hate crime law as ‘the most ridiculous legislation.’ https://t.co/H0A5T85SXv
#Scotland's police warning citizens about the "hate monster". The whole thing is absolutely extraordinary, but the line, "before you know it, you've committed a hate crime", is just fantastic. https://t.co/5LvAhJomGz
Police Scotland ‘may be forced to reduce services or make cuts’ due to hate crime burden. Officers have been negligently unprepared whilst time & resources will be wasted on non-crime hate incidents reported by malicious groups. SNP, Lab, LD & Green MSPs voted for this mess.
Scottish Police Warn Hate Speech Law Will Force Cuts in Policing Actual Crime https://t.co/rS1PQzUjME
The Scottish hate crime law will force police to make cuts, senior officers have warned as staff work overtime to deal with the volume of complaints https://t.co/GVrY5a3Xcn
Under Scotland’s new hate law anything you say, even in your own home, can in future be used a against you Follow @MoatsTV #HateLaw #Rangers #Celtic https://t.co/8LNC0i30Y9
Peter Barnes says Scotland's new hate crime law is "genuinely terrifying." "Scotland has officially fallen. 1984 was written as a warning, not as an instruction manual." 📺 That Was The Woke That Was - https://t.co/Ixz8iw09OY @andrejpwalker @benhabib6 @LoisPerry26 @Barnesy19 https://t.co/QefLfdOCEr
'Everybody is very much in the dark regarding the implementation of this law.' Former player for Celtic F.C. and Rangers F.C. Steven Pressley, on how Scotland's new hate speech law will be managed at the Celtic v Rangers match tomorrow. https://t.co/X5CNXnjLVw
Andre Walker says Scotland's new hate crime law will be a disaster. "HMP Edinburgh with me, Nigel Farage, Mike Graham and Julia Hartley-Brewer is going to be riotous!" 📺 That Was The Woke That Was - https://t.co/Ixz8iw0HEw @andrejpwalker @benhabib6 @LoisPerry26 @Barnesy19 https://t.co/HbJzmAMzn7
Homeless people may be jailed or fined under government plans. Reform UK's deputy leader Ben Habib: "You don't take homeless people off the street by criminalising them." 📺 That Was The Woke That Was - https://t.co/Ixz8iw09OY @andrejpwalker @benhabib6 @LoisPerry26 @Barnesy19 https://t.co/jyF7LeL1DY
Hate crime workload fears and child poverty warning make the front pages https://t.co/kFnNaXMIXu
“The SNP seems to think the state should have no limit. That kids should dob in their parents for what they say in private. This Hate Crime Act should never have got this far” Madeline Grant on the spiked podcast: https://t.co/9gp2V841PC
Scotland's papers: Hate crime workload fears and child poverty warning https://t.co/Uh2P5Scsda
🔴 Police Scotland ‘may be forced to reduce services or make cuts’ due to hate crime burden https://t.co/gk3yDw66vd
Glenn Greenwald: Scotland’s Hate Crime Law Threatens Global Free Speech https://t.co/BmFm9o43Sg