Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has attacked David Blunkett’s proposed new legislation outlawing incitement to religious hatred. He condemned it as “divisive, discriminatory and dangerous”.
Tatchell said: “Why should religion be given special, privileged legal protection? If there is going to be a new law against incitement, it should cover belief, faith and opinion - not just religion. It should also be extended to protect all vulnerable social groups, including travellers, people with HIV, and lesbians and gay men”.
He continued: “There is a serious danger that this legislation could extend the blasphemy laws by stealth, undermining freedom of speech and stifling legitimate satire and criticism of religious beliefs and institutions.”
The forthright activist said that Muslims should be protected against hate crimes but that many Muslim leaders promote discrimination against women and homosexuals.
He remarked: “They want tolerance and protection for themselves, but they are not prepared to support tolerance and protection for others.”