Friday, June 5, 2009

Inclusive Hate Crime Bill Passes Unanimously

The Scottish Parliament unanimously passed Green MSP Patrick Harvie’s bill on hate crime, the Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Bill yesterday afternoon

The bill will ensure that homophobic, transphobic and disability-related hate crime is taken as seriously as racist and religious hate crime.

This is the first transgender-inclusive hate crime bill in Europe, and has the most inclusive definition of transgender identity in any European legislation.

It’s also thought to be the first Member’s Bill in the Scottish Parliament to be passed unanimously by all MSPs with no amendments proposed at any stage!

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