18 May 2005

BRITISH GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCE INTENTION FOR INCITEMENT TO RELIGIOUS HATRED LAW

In the Queen's Speech on 17th May the newly re-elected Labour government once again committed itself to introducing a bill banning incitement to religious hatred.

This will be the third time that the government has tried to pass this measure, which was dropped from the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill (SOCP) only because time ran out before 5th May general election. Speaking on the Today programme (BBC Radio 4) yesterday Mr Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, said that the purpose of the bill was for 'extending to all religions the legal penalties for incitement to hatred which exist for some'. He also said that if necessary the government would use the Parliament Act to force the bill through, as it did for the anti-hunting bill earlier this year. With the Labour Party returned to power with a reduced majority, this may be more necessary than they envisage.

Following lobbying from Barnabas Fund supporters and others many MPs and Lords, from across all the major parties, spoke against this bill in the last session of Parliament. Although the time allowed for debating it was short due to the constraints of the coming election, Mr Clarke insisted yesterday that the issue of the bill's effects on freedom of speech had been fully debated before the election. As the bill was included in the Labour Party's election manifesto, the Salisbury Convention places an obligation on the House of Lords not to contest it. However, this is a traditional and not a legal obligation, and it is hoped that the Lords may still voice their concerns.

Critics of the law have previously pointed out that existing legislation banning incitement to violence and other criminal acts already provides protection if enforced properly. They argue that in reality this new law could end up being used to prevent all reasonable debate and criticism of another person's religion and create greater inter-religious tensions. Barnabas Fund is particularly concerned that the bill could potentially silence those who speak out on behalf of millions of people who suffer as a result of particular religious teachings, such as Muslims who convert to another faith (who should be executed according to Islamic law) or Dalits (treated as "untouchables" in the traditional Hindu caste system).

PRAYER ITEMS

* Pray for the MPs and Lords who have previously spoken against this Bill, that they will again raise their concerns and not allow this Bill to be rushed through without proper debate.

* Pray that the Parliament Act will not be used to push the Bill through, and that Mr Clarke will listen to the concerns against it.

* Pray that British Muslims will recognise that existing laws offer them the same protection from violence as to all citizens, and that this law is unnecessary.

BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE Barnabas Fund's e-mail news service provides the media and our supporters with urgent news briefs concerning suffering Christians around the world.

If you would like to receive news briefs from the Barnabas Fund please contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses.

Further details, quotes and photos on this and other stories may be available for news editors on request.

Barnabas Fund works to support Christian communities mainly, but not exclusively, in the Islamic world where they are facing poverty and persecution.

Barnabas Fund, http://www.barnabasfund.org