New law means anti-gay comments could lead to seven years in jail
UK Daily Mail | October 09, 2007
STEVE DOUGHTY and JAMES SLACK
Stirring up hatred against homosexuals is to become a serious crime punishable with a seven-year jail sentence under a law announced last night.
The legislation - similar to laws already in force outlawing persecution on religious or racial grounds - will make criminals of those who express their views in ways that could lead to the bullying or harassment of gays.
The maximum sentence is longer than the average of around five years handed to rapists.
The announcement widened the rift between opposing supporters of freedom of speech and gay rights.
Christian groups condemned it as "a law to allow Christiansto be locked up for what they believe".
But the gay pressure group Stonewall said those who disapprove of homosexuals would have nothing to fear from the law if they express their views in a manner that is "temperate" and "polite".
Justice Secretary Jack Straw told MPs the gay harassment law will be included as an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill currently going before Parliament, though ministers have yet to decide the wording.
Mr Straw said: "It is a measure of how far we have come as a society in the last ten years that we are now appalled by hatred and invective directed at people on the basis of their sexuality.
"It is time for the law to recognise this."
He raised the prospect of extending the law to cover to "transgendered" people and the disabled.
The new law aims to catch those who do not explicitly call for attacks or discrimination against homosexuals, as this is covered by existing incitement laws.
Instead, police will be allowed to pursue those who create an "atmosphere or climate" in which hatred or bullying can be fostered. Officials said it would not prohibit criticism of gay, lesbian and bisexual people or joke-telling.
The final decision over who has "crossed the line" will rest with the police.
Criminal legislation on gay harassment follows the recent Sexual Orientation Regulations which make discrimination against gays an offence against civil law.
Last night a CofE spokesman said: "We will be scrutinising any legislation to ensure that it safeguards the safety and rights of minorities without jeopardising wider concerns for freedom of expression, including the expression of religious faith."
But Stonewall chief Ben Summerskill said: "We are crystal clear that this is not about constraining anyone from expressing their religious views in a temperate way.
"It is about preventing people from inciting hatred, whether through the lyrics of rap musicians or Muslim organisations which hand out leaflets saying that all homosexuals are paedophiles."
Parents will be told if a paedophile posing a threat to their child moves into their home or street under amendments to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill introduced last night.
But there is still no general right for parents to ask if there is a paedophile living in their neighbourhood, as demanded by "Sarah's Law" campaigners after the murder of Sarah Payne seven years ago.
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but theres more
Boy in court on terror charges for owning book
BBC | October 08, 2007
A British teenager who is accused of possessing material for terrorist purposes has appeared in court.
The 17-year-old, who was arrested in the Dewsbury area of West Yorkshire on Monday, was given bail after a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
It is alleged he had a copy of the "Anarchists' Cookbook", containing instructions on how to make home-made explosives.
His next court hearing has been set for 25 October.
The teenager faces two charges under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The first charge relates to the possession of material for terrorist purposes in October last year.
The second relates to the collection or possession of information useful in the preparation of an act of terrorism.
He stood in the dock wearing a baggy, blue hooded top and only spoke to confirm his name and date of birth.
After the 40-minute hearing, the teenager was released on bail under several conditions.
A second 17-year-old who is facing similar charges has already been remanded in custody and will also appear at the Crown Court on 25 October.
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Four detained at UK anti-war rally
Press TV | October 09, 2007
Thousands have taken to streets of London to protest Iraq and Afghanistan wars and ask gov't for troops' return, leading to four arrests.
Thousands of protesters marched from Trafalgar Square to parliament to call for the government to withdraw troops from Iraq as politicians gathered on the first day after the summer recess on Monday. Permission to hold the event was given less than an hour before the start, organizers said.
"I feel it is important to show solidarity with a growing realization that the war was wrong," said George Solomou, who refused his call up to serve in the conflict.
Although protesters earlier assured the police that they had no intention to disrupt parliament or block the way of the MPs, some of them sat down in the road in Parliament Square. Police arrested four people during the protest.
Police claims the four were detained for offenses including assault on police officers and obstruction.
