Memorandum from LC MacCabe (CJ&I 257)

 

 

I am extremely concerned about the proposed amendment to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill to introduce an offence of inciting hatred on the grounds of sexuality.

In my work, I serve and assist, in a voluntary capacity, people of many races, cultures, beliefs and those of varying sexual orientation.

 

My beliefs mean that I care for and respect each person as a unique human being.

 

However, that does not mean that I must agree with everything they say or practice.

 

Freedom of speech is a very precious entitlement which is rapidly being eroded in this country by the introduction of laws, intended to protect certain groups from violent attack and intimidation, but which instead are leading to persecution of peace loving people who happen to hold to strong beliefs which differ from those in the protected groups.

 

I would never dream of inciting violence against another person, but have been reading far too frequently lately, of cases, involving Christians mainly, being cross examined by police officers for 'hate crimes' such as speaking in their congregations against civil partnerships because they go against key biblical teaching on sexuality.

 

Daily, there seems to be increasing intolerance toward and intimidation of Christians in this country but no-one seems to realise that we too are becoming the victims of 'hate crimes'.

What about the increased likelihood of clergymen being attacked if they walk around wearing their dog collars?

 

Who is preparing an amendment to ensure that anyone inciting hatred toward them is quickly visited by police and dealt with severely?

 

Only yesterday in the Times, I read of a journalist who was attacked, knocked to the ground and kicked violently by a man in his street after he had complained about the man blocking the road with his car.(There is no mention of him holding any particular belief or of his sexual orientation)

In spite of reporting this to the police, his known assailant is walking around, more than a week later with no sign of the police even starting an investigation because of their 'heavy workload'

 

But I hear that The Bishop of Chester was investigated by the Cheshire constabulary after he told his local newspaper of research showing that some homosexuals re-orientated to heterosexuality.

 

This proposed amendment will mean that the police will have even less time to deal with the real crimes against honest law abiding citizens whilst they speed to the homes of other honest law abiding citizens who have done nothing more than express tactfully, and certainly not violently, their beliefs founded in their Christian or other faith or indeed no particular faith at all.

We are fast becoming a nation walking around on eggshells, so fearful that an honestly held opinion or comment will land us in trouble with the police whilst all around us young men are being stabbed and shot to death. Fathers who try to deal with gangs of youths in their neighbourhoods are attacked and one even killed, whilst the perpetrators roam free.

 

I ask you please not to include this amendment which is going to seriously endanger freedom of speech and religion in this country.

 

 

October 2007