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Proceeding contribution from Lord Smith of Finsbury (Non-affiliated) in the House of Lords on Wednesday, 11 November 2009. It occurred during Debate on bill on Coroners and Justice Bill.


Coroners and Justice Bill

I am afraid that it does. The point that I was about to make is that legislation, in the signals that it sends to the world outside, can have an impact on behaviour way beyond the actual meaning of the words in the legislation. There is already a huge amount of anxiety and fear among the gay community about the increasing level of attacks. If the signal that the House sends is that it is all right to be intolerant, I fear that we will end up seeing more violence and more attacks and more difficulty for people simply because of their sexual orientation. That is why I feel so passionately. If this House stands up for free speech, as it so often has to, on this particular matter, it is at risk of sending the wrong signal to the wrong people outside.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
714 c856 
Session
2008-09
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Data protection Detainees Death Coroners Inquiries Electronic surveillance Homosexuality Evidence Incitement Homicide Discrimination Freedom of expression Terrorism Sexuality Homophobia Independent Commissioner for Detained Terrorist Suspects
Legislation
Coroners and Justice Bill 2008-09
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk