This week the University of Limerick (UL), launched its study, A Life Free From Fear – Legislating for Hate Crime in Ireland: An NGO Perspective. This report details the prevalence of hate crimes in Ireland, and makes recommendations for new legislation to protect vulnerable communities.
The report proposes the introduction of four new aggravated offences, where the act committed is motivated by ‘hostility, prejudice, bias or hatred towards the victim on the basis of personal characteristics’. It also recommends that courts should be able to take those factors into consideration during sentencing, as part of a sentence enhancement provision.
Speaking prior to the launch, Senator Ivana Bacik said “The report shows that the current legal regime is incapable of addressing hate crime, and that legislative change is required. Crucially, the report also presents useful proposals for the appropriate legislative model, and this is particularly welcome,”
The need for legislation governing crimes motivated by hate in Ireland has long been recognised. PILA has previously facilitated working groups to discuss proposals for law reform with organisations interested in lobbying for hate crimes legislation.
The UL report surveyed 14 NGOs in Ireland who are working with people from ethnic and racial minorities, including the Traveller Community; immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers; religious minorities; people with disabilities; the LGBT communities; and prisoners. According to the report, all 14 organisations who participated in the study “regard hate crime as a priority area for action in Irish society” and all but one of the organisations surveyed hold that hate crime would be an issue of concern for those for whom they advocate.
The report’s authors, Jennifer Schweppe, Dr Amanda Hynes and Dr James Carr, identify Ireland’s lack of hate crime legislation as an important issue, recommending the introduction of legislation as a matter of urgency. The report’s foreword was written by Professor Barbara Perry, who stated that “Ireland stands virtually alone in its silence with respect to protecting vulnerable communities from the harms of this particular form of violence.”
According to Senator Bacik, “The key thing is to ensure that there is a political commitment to change and I certainly intend to make sure that this report is acted upon and that we do see legislation introduced.”
Click here to read the full report.
Click here to read an Irish Times article about the launch.