Brits Again Consider Religious Hate Laws In Wake of Griffin Acquittal

Last week in Britain, a jury in Leeds acquitted right-wing British National Party leader Nick Griffin of stirring up racial hatred. (BBC News.) At issue was a speech Griffin delivered in 2004 attacking Islam. Under the law as it existed at that time, stirring up racial hatred was a crime, but stirring up religious hatred was not. Griffin argued that his speech was aimed at Islam, and not at Asians as the government charged. (IC Wales.) Earlier this year, British law was amended to include stirring up religious hatred. However, it was watered down from the original proposal. It requires intentional conduct and merely abusive or insulting remarks are not covered. (See prior posting.) Now however, in the wake of the Griffin acquittal, some members of the government are suggesting that Parliament take another look at strengthening the religious hatred provisions. (BBC News.)