Politics

Civil liberties group calls for changes to new hate crime bill

The ICCL wants to strengthen protections for freedom of expression within the legislation

Liam Herrick: ‘ICCL fully supports freedom of expression and has been advocating to ensure this bill properly protects this right’. Picture: Chris Bellew/Fennell Photography.

A civil liberties group is seeking changes to the government’s hate crime bill to deliver “stronger protection” for people’s constitutional right to freedom of expression.

The bill will provide for jail sentences of up to five years for hate crimes such as calling for violence against a particular group of people because of their race, gender, religion or sexual orientation.

The bill was criticised last week by Donald Trump Jr, the son of the former ...