Scottish PEN welcomes today’s announcement by Humza Yousaf, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, that key changes will be made to the proposed Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, including a requirement that intention to stir up hatred is proven beyond a reasonable doubt before an offence can be prosecuted.

Scottish PEN has submitted a response to the Scottish Parliament Justice Committee’s call for views on the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill. While the implications of the Bill are varied, our response focuses on the rights of writers to express themselves freely and without fear.