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Canadian Hate-Speech Law Violates Charter of Rights

Posted by timothy on from the problem-with-liberty dept.

MrKevvy writes "The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has found that federal hate-speech legislation violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the equivalent of the US Constitution's Bill of Rights. This decision exonerates Marc Lemire, webmaster of FreedomSite.org, but may have farther-reaching consequences and serve as precedent for future complaints of hate-speech."

8 of 651 comments (clear)

  1. Let's hope... by cayenne8 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...this sets an example for people that insist anything NOT PC speech in the US should be suppressed.

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    1. Re:Let's hope... by operagost · · Score: 5, Insightful

      We have laws against libel and slander for that. We don't need the state deciding what's "hate" speech.

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    2. Re:Let's hope... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      AC as I modded some. Just got a year suspension for using the word mentally retarded in class and then arguing with a couple of ignorant classmates who said I could not say the words mentally retarded. In a Human Services class dealing with case management, and the 4th chapter of our textbook is titled, "The Mentally Retarded". Go figure that one out, because I sure fucking can't.

    3. Re:Let's hope... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yes: The students had the right to leave. By shouting him down, they prevented anyone from listening. That is censorship.

  2. Good by SoupGuru · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I have always been suspicious of hate speech legislation. It seems ideal for creating slippery slopes.

    --
    What doesn't kill you only delays the inevitable
  3. Re:aha by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Future Canadian Ubuntu release names:

    Busty Beaner
    Crackhead Coon
    Drunk Darkie
    Flaming Faggot
    Grumpy Gringo
    Humping Homosexual
    Jackin' Jiggabgoo
    Klepto Kike
    Limey Lobersterback
    Morose Moonie
    Nappy Nigger
    Queefing Queer
    Sleazy Spic
    Transsexual Twinky
    Weebly Wetback
    Zany Zebra

  4. Re:Hate speech serves no purpose by Shakrai · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Hate speech, especially published hate speech, serves no purpose other than to degrade, criminalize or deter a particular person, race, or gender.

    That shouldn't mean you get to outlaw it though.

    --
    I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
    We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
  5. Re:Hate speech serves no purpose by commodore64_love · · Score: 5, Interesting

    >>>Hate speech, especially published hate speech, serves no purpose other than to degrade, criminalize or deter a particular person, race, or gender.

    Oh really? During the 1790s several Americans who criticized the John Adam's presidency were called a "hate speakers". Well they didn't have that term then, preferring to call it "seditious speech", but it was the equivalent - they labeled those criticisms as having no purpose and therefore people were jailed for exercising their opinions, including Benjamin's Franklin's grandson.

    If you give government power to stop hate speech (or seditious speech), then you give government the power to stop ANY speech that they don't like - such as saying Bush's War is bogus (hello jail) or Obama's Healthcare is monopoly (hello jail again). The Democratic Party was born when Jefferson and others decided to take power and reverse the Sedition Act.

    I find it ironic that the same party is now trying to restore the Sedition Act - a different name but still the same effect.

    --
    "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall