A copy of the consultation is available on the Department’s website at https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-hate-crime-legislation-northern-ireland
The public consultation is calling for views to inform the development of a Hate Crime Bill, which will be taken forward in the next Assembly mandate. Proposals for the introduction of a Hate Crime Bill for Northern Ireland builds on recommendations from a comprehensive and wide-ranging independent review of hate crime legislation, commissioned by the Department of Justice and carried out by Judge Desmond Marrinan, which was published in December 2020.
The Public consultation will be undertaken in two phases. Phase one, will consult on a number of policy issues currently being developed for a forthcoming Hate Crime Bill, with plans for a second public consultation in the new mandate on the remaining issues.
The first phase will focus on the following areas:
If you have not already responded, we would welcome your engagement in this consultation and encourage you to share your views and thoughts on this important issue.