SIGN PETITION: REPEAL THE HATE CRIME ACT
Join Ash Regan MSP to tell the Scottish Government that the Hate Crime Public Order Act 2021 must be repealed.
The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act stated it intended to tackle the harm caused by hatred and prejudice but the new laws will stifle free speech and be weaponised to against groups in society such as people with a Gender Critical Belief.
In a letter to Holyrood's criminal justice committee, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS) warned the law could be "weaponised" by an "activist fringe" across the political spectrum.
Campaign group For Women Scotland have branded the act a "mess" and said "there will be a lot of malicious reports".
The Scottish Government failed to have clarity of intent built into the accompanying guidance, setting the bar for investigation and prosecution clearly above legally protected freedom of expression.
The chilling effect of the legislation has already begun, and the original vision of the bill is lost. The Act must be repealed.
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