Scottish hate crime laws extended to homosexuals and disabled

The Scottish Government is backing proposals put forward by Green MSP Patrick Harvie, which will make attacking someone because of their sexual orientation or disability an aggravating factor.

The legislation will be taken forward early this year and, if backed by Holyrood, will place such assaults on the same legal footing as racist and religiously motivated attacks.

In its election manifesto last year the SNP had pledged to extend legislative protection to the disabled and people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Today Mr MacAskill said: "Living in safe and strong communities is an essential part of our positive vision for Scotland.

"For too many people that vision is blurred by the fear of crime and intolerance.

"While good government needs a clear vision we must also deal decisively with immediate problems. To do otherwise would compromise public safety - that is why I am delighted to announce today government support for a Bill which will extend statutory aggravations to cover crimes motivated by malice or ill will towards victims based on their sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability."

He added: "No one in Scotland should be targeted or victimised because of their sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability.

"Our clear aim is to prevent and deter crimes. But where crime does happen it will not be tolerated."

Mr MacAskill thanked the Green MSP for keeping the issue high on the political agenda after the previous Executive turned down a recommendation to extend the law to protect these groups.

Mr Harvie welcomed ministers' support for his proposals and said: "For too long our justice system has been oblivious to the motivation behind hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Scots, as well as Scots with disabilities.

"These proposals will, if Parliament backs them, mean these divisive and scarring crimes are deterred more effectively and taken more seriously, just as racially-motivated attacks already are."

The Glasgow MSP said the proposed legislation would allow proper records for attacks against gays and disabled people to be kept for the first time.

And he added: "We want to see a Scotland where these offences are made a thing of the past and where all Scots are treated with dignity and respect."

The move was also welcomed by police chiefs. Speaking on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) Chief Constable Ian Latimer of Northern Constabulary said: "The Scottish police service is committed to the provision of a quality service that is fair, accessible and meets the needs of all individuals.

"Acpos supports proposals to bring in an aggravation to offences where the motive is malice to any group within the diverse community we serve."

And he pledged that police officers would "make full use of any new measures available".

Morag Alexander, the Scotland Commissioner for the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, said: "If you have a mental health problem or a learning disability or if you are gay or transgendered you are more likely to experience abuse, threats and violence simply because of who you are.

"This is unacceptable in 21st century Scotland. We welcome these proposals to give the police, prosecutors and the courts the powers they need to monitor and tackle these types of offences."

Tim Hopkins, of the Equality Network, said: "One in four gay people have been victims of homophobic violence and two thirds have been threatened or harassed.

"This Bill is a vital tool to help the justice system recognise the scale of the problem and respond accordingly."