Incitement to racial or ethnic hatred is a crime under the laws of a number of countries.

United Kingdom

Under the Law of the United Kingdom, "incitement to racial hatred" was established as an offence by the provisions of §§ 17-29 of the Public Order Act 1986. It was first established as a criminal offence in the by the Race Relations Act 1976. The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 made publication of material that incited racial hatred an arrestable offence.

This offence refers to:

• deliberately provoking hatred of a racial group
• distributing racist material to the public
• making inflammatory public speeches
• creating racist websites on the Internet
• inciting inflammatory rumours about an individual or an ethnic group, for the purpose of spreading racial discontent.

Holocaust denial is not covered under this legislation, and neither is incitement to hatred against religions other than Judaism and Sikhism . This has been criticised by Muslim groups who argue that it gives preferential treatment to other religions than their own which is open to attack. As of 2005, the British government are attempting to bring in a similar law for incitement to religious hatred, but this has met with tough opposition by civil liberties groups, comedians, and others, who argue that it would stifle religious debate. It is also argued that incitement against Muslims is already covered by existing laws concerning incitement to violence.

Some critics of this legislation assert that only certain racial groups are censored while other favoured groups are not. The proponents of this legislation are criticized for apparently seeking to deny the right of free speech to others with legitimate concerns over issues such as immigration, crime, terrorism, etc. Some critics also argue that the definition of "racial hatred" is too vague, which could lead to people who told racist jokes, for example, being penalised, or even that racist discrimination may end up being protected . However, supporters of the law claim that it helps to protect vulnerable minorities from attack, and does not stifle legitimate debate (for example, about gun crime in Britain's black community). No one race, creed or culture should be subject to censure; the application of this law is so fluid is in subject to enforcement by the government proscribed authorities who do not represent the will of the general public at large.

Australia

In Australia, the Racial Hatred Act 1995 amends the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, inserting Part IIA - Offensive Behaviour Because of Race, Colour, National or Ethnic Origin. It does not, however, address the issue of incitement to racial hatred. The Australian state of Victoria has addressed the question, however, with its enactment of the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001.

See also

• Hate speech
• Public Order Act 1986
• Crime and Disorder Act 1998
• Racially aggravated offence
• Baby Suicide Bomber
• Anti-Semitism

External links

• Government information on the race relations act
• Commission for racial equality
• Crime Reduction Toolkits: Racist Incidents and Harassment