There is an old Irish saying,
"Anything important to say can be said in one sentence. Anything dishonest takes 54 pages".
Ireland's Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD issued a 54 page report on why "hate speech" should be criminalized. It should
be read; it is scary!
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Legislati ... nd_Web.pdfMinister McEntee's first point is everybody is criminalizing speech. Ireland should too!
"
The introduction of laws against genocide denial in other countries have been upheld by the European Court of Human Rights which found they do not breach the right to freedom of expression.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-a ... -1.4440014Then she tells Ireland, "Don't worry your little heads about this.
the proposed hate speech laws will not be about “catching people out” for misspeaking.
Instead,
the legislation will target people who “intentionally or recklessly” incite hatred against individuals or groups.
And, "It is understood any provision in Irish law would criminalise the denial of all genocides, not just the Holocaust,
"https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/holocaust-denial-may-become-an-offence-under-new-legislation-1.4440014
The most concerning parts of the Report:
There should be no requirement for the material to be threatening, abusive or insulting in itself. This is a change from the 1989 Act which always requires the material itself to be threatening, abusive or insulting in nature. So, a broadcast or speech which is clearly designed to incite hatred, but is couched in polite or coded language, would be covered by the new offence.
??? So mere intent is a crime?? But how do you prove THAT?
This legislation will complement the hate speech legislation by establishing a robust regulatory framework to deal with the spread of harmful online content. It also provides for the appointment of an Online Safety Commissioner as part of a wider Media Commission to oversee the new regulatory framework for online safety.
Ireland, be prepared to have everything you post, text, or communicate saved and scanned for any sign of "intent."
A company accused of displaying or distributing hateful material should be able to defend itself by showing that it has reasonable measures in place to prevent dissemination of this type of material in general, was complying with those measures at the time and was unaware and had no reason to suspect that this particular content was inciteful
"Had no reason" as a defense to a criminal charge. Pretty sketchy there Minister of Justice.