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The government says existing laws do not protect a person’s gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or disability.
The New Zealand government announced on Friday that it intends to strengthen the country’s anti-hatred laws and increase sanctions for inciting hatred and discrimination in response. two years ago a white supremacist in Christchurch killed 51 Muslims.
The move was recommended after the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the March 15, 2019 assassination attempt to change hate speech and hate crime laws, saying they were a weak impediment to people targeting religion and other minority groups.
New Zealand’s anti-hate laws have so far resulted in only one prosecution and two civil claims, the Royal Commission has noted.
“Protecting the right to freedom of expression is something that is carefully examined in balancing this right with protections against“ hate speech ”and requires a lot of input,” Justice Minister Kris Faafoi said at a news conference.
“Building social cohesion, valuing inclusion and diversity can also be a powerful way to address the actions of those who want to spread or promote discrimination and hatred.”
The government proposed new criminal offenses out of hate speech, saying they would be clearer and more effective.
Under the proposal, a person who “intentionally ignites, maintains, or normalizes hatred” would break the law by making it threatening, offensive, or insulting, encouraging violence, the government said.
The penalty for these crimes would increase to a maximum of three years in prison or a New Zealand fine of up to $ 50,000 ($ 35,000). Currently, the sentence is between $ 7,000 ($ 4,950) in New Zealand or a three-month prison sentence.
He also proposed provisions to protect trans, gender and intersex from discrimination. Current laws only target speeches that “excite hostility” against a person or group because of their color, race, or ethnicity.
‘Question on freedom of expression’
Proposals are open for public consultation.
According to Radio New Zealand, the government is also considering changing the language and expanding the provisions to promote it in the Human Rights Act.
But it has not yet been decided which group will be added.
Currently, the only act considered an offense is the color, race, or ethnicity of a person or group that will “arouse hostility” or “cause contempt”. But gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability are not considered protected.
Australian Brenton Tarrant killed 51 people and injured dozens When he shot Muslim worshipers at two mosques in Christchurch shortly after the atrocity was released directly via Facebook via a racist manifesto online,
With the support of the full political spectrum, New Zealand quickly banned the sale of semi-automatic weapons used by Tarrant.
In August 2020, the judge sentenced Tarrant to life in prison without parole, A New Zealand court first handed down that sentence.
But changes to hate speech laws have been more contentious, with some political parties saying it would impede freedom of expression.
“Anti-hatred laws proposed by the government have a huge benefit to eradicate culture and create an even more divided society,” said David Seymour, head of the New Zealand ACT party.
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