PM Rishi Sunak backs JK Rowling over Scotland's hate crime law

United Kingdom Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak backs author JK Rowling over her criticism of new Scotland’s hate crime laws. He said people should not be punished for speaking basic biological facts.

PM Rishi Sunak backs JK Rowling encouraging her stance. He said his party will always protect free speech. They believe in free speech in this country and Conservatives will always protect it.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said people should not be criminalised "for stating simple facts on biology", as he backed author JK Rowling in her criticism of new Scottish hate crime laws https://t.co/IK9acgmnqS
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) April 2, 2024

However, the new Scotland law has become controversial as it sparks a debate about freedom of speech. It aims to address the suffering caused by bigotry and discrimination.

This law extends rights against abusive behavior to people based on age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and transgender identity. It has also allowed online misgendering investigations.

Misgendering is when someone uses the wrong pronouns when referring to someone, especially a transgender person. For example, if a transgender woman prefers to refer to her, but someone continues to refer her to him.

Someone found guilty of sending material or behaving in a manner that a reasonable person would consider threatening or abusive to incite hatred based on protected traits. He or she could face up to seven years in prison.

In England and Wales, it is already illegal to make threats or be abusive based on age, religion, or sexual orientation. But the new law in Scotland goes even further. The prosecution only has to show the behavior was more likely to cause hate than intended.

JK Rowling has become a vocal opponent of the Scottish government’s attitude on transgender rights. She also challenged Scottish police to arrest her. Hence, the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland law) has been implemented.

She, in her social media post, criticized the new Scottish law. JK Rowling wrote the rights and liberties of real women appear to be less important to the Scottish government than men’s feelings. Those men who are misogynistic or opportunistically perform their idea of femininity.

🎉🌼🌸April Fools! 🌸🌼🎉

Only kidding. Obviously, the people mentioned in the above tweets aren't women at all, but men, every last one of them.

In passing the Scottish Hate Crime Act, Scottish lawmakers seem to have placed higher value on the feelings of men performing their…
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 1, 2024

Click here to read updates on the first man convicted of cyber flashing in England and Wales

JK Rowling also claimed this law is wide open to abuse by activists who want to silence those speaking about the dangers of getting rid of single-sex spaces for women and girls.

Single-sex spaces for women refer to places or facilities designated for use by females only like restrooms and changing rooms.

JK Rowling also said it is impossible to effectively characterize or confront the reality of violence and sexual violence committed against women. If they have not permission to call a man as a man.

Rowling believes this law threatens freedom of speech and fails to protect women’s rights. She also argues that the law could make it a crime to describe someone’s biological sex accurately. She considers it essential for addressing issues like violence against women.