Looking for article on hate crimes laws

[Onlooker]

Anyone know of an intelligent article that explains the rationale for hate crimes laws. II know these laws can be quite useful and effective, but I'd like to find something authoritative. Anyone have a link?

[marmar]

1. Here's one, from the director of Public Interest.

www.apa.org/monitor/julaug99/pi.html

[Horse with no Name]

2. This might be of help

http://www.hatecrime.org

What Are the Key Indicators that a Hate Crime May Have Been Committed?

The main difference between a hate crime and other crimes is that a perpetrator of a hate crime is motivated by bias. To evaluate a perpetrator's motives, you should consider several bias indicators:


* perceptions of the victim(s) and witnesses about the crime
* the perpetrator's comments, gestures or written statements that reflect bias, including graffiti or other symbols
* any differences between perpetrator and victim, whether actual or perceived by the perpetrator
* similar incidents in the same location or neighborhood to determine whether a pattern exists
* whether the victim was engaged in activities promoting his/her group or community--for example, by clothing or conduct
* whether the incident coincided with a holiday or data of particular significance
* involvement of organized hate groups or their members
* absence of any other motive such as economic gain

The presence of any of these factors does not confirm that the incident was a hate offense but may indicate the need for further investigation into motive.

A victim's perception is an important factor to consider, but be aware that victims may not recognize the crime as motivated by bias. Victims should not be asked directly whether they believe they were the victim of a hate crime, but it is appropriate to ask if they have any idea why they might have been victimized.

Victims and perpetrators may appear to be from the same race, ethnicity/nationality, or religion, but it is the perpetrator's perception of difference (whether accurate or not) motivating his or her criminal behavior that would constitute a hate crime.

[Kutjara]

3. I don't have any specific links but...

...the UK has implemented a range of anti-hate crime legislation over the past three years. Inciting Racial Hatred is the most recent of these laws. Last year, the government tried to pass a law making Anti-religious comment illegal, but this was defeated, after much lobbying by comedians like Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), on the grounds that it would suppress the critique of religion and religious humor.

Perhaps if you do a search on the BBC website (www.bbc.co.uk), it will kick out some of the articles covering the debates on these laws.