What if you're criticizing someone as a person, for example, the Prime Minister? What if you just don't like someone and you say that to them (i.e. call your ex a "cheating bitch")? If the person you say it to is of another ethnicity, couldn't that also be interpreted as "hate speech" in a court of law, especially by a cunning lawyer? I think the wording is pretty vague.
Well no, this is what comes from a lack of knowledge of the law in the UK.
There's a pretty detailed description of what constitutes hate speech, what you've been trying to do is finding loopholes which can be simply explained. So, before I just show you the description I'll discuss some flaws in your argument.
Criticism is not hate speech. Just compare the definitions:
"the expression of disapproval of someone or something on the basis of perceived faults or mistakes."
-Criticism
"Expressions of hatred toward someone on account of that person's colour, race, disability, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origin, religion, or sexual orientation is forbidden"
- Hate speech
So, criticism is the disapproval based on falsifiable evidence, whereas hate speech is an expression of hatred without the requirement of evidence/basis. So what do they mean by this?
If the above were the only thing in UK law that described hate speech then yes, it would be vague. But it's not.
"
A person who uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or displays any written material which is threatening, abusive or insulting, is guilty of an offence if—
(a) they intend thereby to stir up racial hatred, or
(b) having regard to all the circumstances racial hatred is likely to be stirred up thereby.
Offences under Part 3 carry a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment or a fine or both.
[6]"
I think this is pretty clear, they must clearly show intent to stir up racial hatred, so they must at least mention something that identifies a specific race or religion etc.
So no, there is very little room for interpretation.
I'd chalk that down to ignorance of law, no offence of course.
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_speech_laws_in_the_United_Kingdom
(All you had to was google search, dude)
--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------
Well, that is good you haven't seen any censorship. Now, while you may have your own believes, all i can ask is that you not let anyone censor you and not be afraid to speak. The world is getting more frail everyday. Life is hard and people are rude and it all just sucks. That is reality. People try to hide this and it just can't be hidden. The sooner people realize this, the stronger we all become.
Indeed.
--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------
Well under your laws, you'd be off to jail just about now for saying mean things.
Look above
--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------
Ah, yes, the UK and Europe, where saying you want to kill all infidels and establish a caliphate is fine, but where criticising those beliefs is "hateful".
It's very saddening to see people here defending censorship and the erosion of the freedoms of speech and expression.
Ignorance. Prove your claim.
--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------
I don't think "caliphate" means what you think it means
Most who think they know what Islam is, do not.
I could bet you about 9/10 of you think Jihad means holy war.