Printed from: https://archive.cmf.org.uk/advocacy/submissions/?id=241
Published: 24th December 2020
We welcome the intent to bring clarity and coherence to the laws relating to hate crime and hate speech and applaud the Law Commission for their work in this regard.
In our opinion, a move away from a characteristic-based approach would be preferable. Hatred and hostility expressed towards any personal characteristic should be the crime, and the law should set and test the thresholds of evidence to guide sentencing. A law based on characteristics will always be behind the curve of societal and cultural change. It will always exclude certain groups of people from the scope of its protection. The three tests for inclusion, listed in the question, will doubtless help legislators to decide when a new characteristic should be added, but in the time lapse between offences coming to light and inclusion in the 'qualifying' list, injustices multiply
You can read our full submission here
Steven Fouch (CMF Head of Communications) 020 7234 9668
Alistair Thompson on 07970 162 225
Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) was founded in 1949 and is an interdenominational organisation with over 5,000 doctors, 900medical and nursing students and 300 nurses and midwives as members in all branches of medicine, nursing and midwifery. A registered charity, it is linked to over 100 similar bodies in other countries throughout the world.
CMF exists to unite Christian healthcare professionals to pursue the highest ethical standards in Christian and professional life and to increase faith in Christ and acceptance of his ethical teaching.
