Insulting homeless should be a hate crime
Plea to include abuse of poor in judge’s law review
INSULTING the poor could become a crime under Scots law.
The move has been mooted as Lord Bracadale, one of the nation’s most senior judges, reviews hate crime legislation.
Currently, such legislation covers race, religion, sexual orientation, disability and gender identity.
Amnesty International Scotland have urged Lord Bracadale to “consolidate hate crime legislation to ensure consistency, clarity and equal protection”.
They have asked the Scottish Government to consider including ageism, sexism and economic status in Lord Bracadale’s review.
Amnesty International’s programme director for Scotland, Naomi McAuliffe, says those on the street need to be better protected against verbal and physical attacks.
McAuliffe added: “There have been reports from charities about violence and abuse that those who are living on the streets face.
“We are really keen for that to be addressed.”
She didn’t rule out extending the clause to cover wealthy people, adding: “If the evidence was out there, then it should be addressed.”
But McAuliffe said the intention was to safeguard those living on the streets, adding: “We are calling for an extension to cover gender, age and socioeconomic status. We want there to be a consolidation and clarity around hate crime legislation.
“At the moment, the public don’t really know what hate crime is and what they should be reporting.”
The Scottish Government said: “Lord Bracadale will consider if categories of hate crime for characteristics not legislated for, such as age and gender, need to be created.
“His recommendations are expected in early 2018.”
Last year, a survey found people sleeping on the streets were 17 times more likely to be victims of violence.