(CLO) On February 6, Australia passed a strict law against hate crimes, applying mandatory minimum prison sentences for terrorism and hate symbols to address the recent increase in anti-Semitism.
The law stipulates a minimum prison sentence of 12 months for less serious hate crimes, such as making a Nazi salute in public, and six years for terrorism offences.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has previously opposed mandatory minimum sentences for hate crimes, said: "I want those who engage in anti-Semitic behaviour to be held accountable, charged and imprisoned."
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photo: Facebook/AlboMP
The hate crimes bill, introduced into parliament by the Australian Government last year, creates new offences, including threatening to use force or violence against another person on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status.
In recent months, attacks on synagogues, Jewish community buildings and vehicles in Australia have increased, including the discovery of a convoy of explosives-laden vehicles with a list of Jewish targets in Sydney.
Prime Minister Albanese's government has faced criticism from the centre-right opposition over its poor handling of crime and failure to curb the rise in anti-Semitism.
The Liberal-National Coalition has been calling for mandatory minimum sentences to be added to the bill since last month. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the new amendments, passed late on 5 February, would create “the toughest hate crime laws Australia has ever had”.
New South Wales, where most of the anti-Semitic attacks occurred, also announced it would strengthen its hate speech laws to align with similar provisions in Western Australia and Victoria.
Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters, JPost)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/chao-kieu-phat-xit-se-doi-mat-voi-an-tu-o-uc-post333323.html
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