LORDS ATTACK GOVERNMENT PLANS TO INTRODUCE RELIGIOUS HATE LAWS

Press Release – 17 March 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Government plans to introduce laws banning Incitement to Religious Hatred were attacked by peers from all sides on Monday as the House of Lords debated the measures for the first time.

Over 40 peers spoke in a debate which lasted almost 9 hours as the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill received its Second Reading in the House of Lords on 14 March. (1) For every peer who spoke in favour of proposed religious hate laws two spoke against. Whilst almost all support came from Labour loyalists, attacks came from across the House with multiple speakers from the Conservatives, Liberal-Democrats, Labour and the Crossbenchers.

Leading the attack were several widely respected and influential members, the former Lord Chancellor Lord Mackay, former Home Secretary Lord Baker and noted QC Lord Lester. Lord Mackay described the new laws as an “issue of great importance” and “a threat to free speech”. Lord Lester condemned the new offences as “sweepingly broad in their reach.” Lord Baker deplored the measure as a “straightjacket on the freedom of expression”.

Other notable contributions were made by the Crossbench peer Baroness D’Souza who decried the fact that “the lack of clarity will undoubtedly increase self-censorship”. From the Labour benches Lord Desai stressed the laws were unnecessary pointing out that already under law “protection is available against harassment, against violence and even against a lot of incitement.”

Fresh from their confrontation with the government over the Prevention of Terrorism Bill, as 19 out of 29 peers who spoke on the subject of religious hatred condemned the proposed legislation, it became clear that the Lords is again prepared to defy the government in support of basic civil liberties. The Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill has now moved on to its Committee Stage and will be debated again on 5 April.

BARNABAS FUND WELCOMES LORDS OPPOSITION

Barnabas Fund welcomes the stand so many peers took on this issue at the debate. Paul Cook, Advocacy Manager for the Fund, said, “We are greatly encouraged by the determination of the Lords to critically examine this dangerous piece of legislation and not allow the government to rush it through as occurred in the Commons. We urge peers to remain firm in their opposition to this law for the sake of free speech.”

PRAY

• As time runs out before an expected election in May pressure will be put on peers and the opposition parties to drop their opposition to these laws or do a deal so that the rest of the Bill, which is largely uncontroversial, can be passed. Pray that the Lords and the opposition parties will remain firm in their rejection of this new law and insist that it is dropped. • Pray that when and if the law is put to a final vote, large number of peers who oppose this legislation will turn out and vote against it, removing it from the Bill. • Pray for wisdom, guidance and strength for peers leading the opposition to the new law, that they will be clear and united in insisting that the laws are dropped. • Above all ask that the Lord will rule in this situation, that no law will be passed against His will.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds05/text/50314-05.htm following

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Notes for Editors

The government argues that the law is needed to prevent far-right groups and extremists of all religions whipping up hatred against the followers of other faiths. However, a broad based coalition of journalists, senior lawyers, MPs, peers, human rights groups, civil liberties organizations, religious organisations, secularists and actors, amongst others, co-ordinated by Barnabas Fund fear that far from achieving this laudable aim the law will instead effectively end up banning all legitimate criticism of religion and religious practices.

Barnabas Fund is concerned that those who speak out on behalf of millions of people who suffer as a result of particular religious teachings, such as Muslims who convert to another faith (who should be executed according to Islamic law) or Dalits (treated as “untouchables” in the traditional Hindu caste system), could be silenced.

Further information on the proposed law banning Incitement to Religious Hatred is available on Barnabas Fund’s website http://www.barnabasfund.org/News/ITRHC/about_ITRHC.htm