17/06/2011
Racism, Bigotry And Sectarianism 'Not Welcome'
New laws to crack down on sectarian and other forms of hatred in Scotland should be in place in time for the new football season after Ministers introduced a draft Bill to the Scottish Parliament.
The legislation seeks to create two new offences relating to offensive behaviour that can incite religious, racial or other forms of hatred, in and around football grounds and on the internet.
If approved, the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill will mean bigots will face up to five years in prison upon conviction and the possibility of a football banning order.
The Bill is being fast-tracked through the parliamentary process to ensure the new powers are in place in time for the new football season.
Community Safety and Legal Affairs Minister Roseanna Cunningham, who has responsibility for tackling setarianism, said: "Racism, bigotry and sectarianism are not welcome in Scotland, it is totally unacceptable, and those who perpetuate this hatred will be punished through the full force of the law.
"These new laws will send out a clear message that there is no place for bigots in a modern-day Scotland.
"From the start of the new season, anyone who peddles sectarian hatred - in any football stadium in Scotland, on the way to or from a game, or hiding behind a computer screen - could now face up to five years in jail.
"The events of last season were unprecedented and they need to be met with an unprecedented response.
"Actions which are threatening, offensive and which incite hatred and public disorder simply cannot be allowed to happen again. That is why this Government is taking decisive and immediate action to ensure law enforcement agencies have the additional tools in their armoury to crack down upon these individuals with full force.
"Sectarianism is a hate crime, it has got to stop, and it will stop."
(BMcN)
The legislation seeks to create two new offences relating to offensive behaviour that can incite religious, racial or other forms of hatred, in and around football grounds and on the internet.
If approved, the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill will mean bigots will face up to five years in prison upon conviction and the possibility of a football banning order.
The Bill is being fast-tracked through the parliamentary process to ensure the new powers are in place in time for the new football season.
Community Safety and Legal Affairs Minister Roseanna Cunningham, who has responsibility for tackling setarianism, said: "Racism, bigotry and sectarianism are not welcome in Scotland, it is totally unacceptable, and those who perpetuate this hatred will be punished through the full force of the law.
"These new laws will send out a clear message that there is no place for bigots in a modern-day Scotland.
"From the start of the new season, anyone who peddles sectarian hatred - in any football stadium in Scotland, on the way to or from a game, or hiding behind a computer screen - could now face up to five years in jail.
"The events of last season were unprecedented and they need to be met with an unprecedented response.
"Actions which are threatening, offensive and which incite hatred and public disorder simply cannot be allowed to happen again. That is why this Government is taking decisive and immediate action to ensure law enforcement agencies have the additional tools in their armoury to crack down upon these individuals with full force.
"Sectarianism is a hate crime, it has got to stop, and it will stop."
(BMcN)
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