Disability Hate Crime and the Policy Landscape

Hate crime legislation is a crucial mechanism through which hate crimes can be effectively challenged and prosecuted against (Walters et al. in Criminal Law Review, 12:961–986, 2018). Indeed, the establishment of an effective legislative response to hate crime not only supports the symbolic message that there is no place for criminalised expressions of hate, but that prejudice-incited hate in and of itself is wrong (Mason in Theoretical Criminology, 18:75–92, 2013). The ongoing revision of policy is therefore necessary to reflect a forever changing and dynamic social, political, and economic context within England and Wales.

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Notes

Articles 2(1), 26, and 27 of the ICCPR help to ensure equality in the enjoyment of all human rights, which includes the guarantee against discrimination. Accordingly, these provisions expand the interpretation of Article 20(2) on all grounds of discrimination equally and to not limit this to race, religion, or nationality (Article 19, 2020).

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, UK Dr. Leah Burch

1. Dr. Leah Burch