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UK Hindus,
Muslims get protection against hate
WSN Network
London: Incitement to religious hatred will become a criminal
offence in England and Wales with the commencement of a new Act from
Monday that will extend the protection to Hindus, Muslims and
Christians, hitherto enjoyed by only Sikhs and Jews.
The Racial and
Religious Hatred Act creates a new offence of intentionally stirring
up religious hatred against people on religious grounds, closing a
gap in the current legislation.
Existing
offences in the Public Order 1986 Act legislate against inciting
racial hatred. Sikhs and Jews have been deemed by the courts to be
racial groups and are protected under this legislation, but other
groups such as Hindus, Muslims and Christians are considered to be
religious rather than racial groups, and have therefore not
previously received any protection under the law.
The new Act will
give protection to these groups by outlawing the use of threatening
words or behaviour intended to incite hatred against groups of
people defined by their religious beliefs or lack of belief.
Home office
minister Vernon Coaker said: “This Act closes this small but
important gap in the law against extremists who stir up hatred in
our communities. To be attacked or targeted because of your race or
religion is wholly unacceptable.”
“It can have a
devastating effect on victims who can find themselves on the
receiving end of bigotry and hatred.”
“We are
committed to protecting everyone in our society and legislating
against this abhorrent behaviour. Our overarching goal is to build a
civilised society where we can all achieve our potential free from
prejudice,” Coaker said further.
3 October, 2007
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