A mock trial staged to highlight racially aggravated hate crimes has caused some to question if Scottish authorities are readying a newly-enacted yet still-dormant hate crime law, which has been described as the most “illiberal and censorious bill in any liberal democracy in the world.”
While not explicit, a mock trial could be seen as a practice run for the Hate Crime and Public Order Act, which has been called “vague,” “censorious,” and “Orwellian” by a broad range of free speech groups.
The Scottish Government told The Epoch Times by email that it is working closely with justice partners, including Police Scotland, to “implement the Act as soon as possible to enhance protections to those targeted by hatred and prejudice.”…