Opposition criticizes Scottish plan to fight sectarianism in football
The main opposition parties in Scotland have criticized a plan by the Scottish government
to stamp out football-related sectarianism. There are concerns the Offensive Behaviour
at Football and Threatening Communications Bill is not precise, and could end up banning
the right to free speech and religious expression. A delegation from the Catholic
Bishops conference met with the First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond this week.
“We
in particular highlighted it needed to ensure the freedom to express your religious
views, and the freedom to hold expressions which others might not like is not undermined
by the legislation,” said John Deighan, parliamentary officer for the Scottish Bishops.
“The government took on board that, they realized that was not the intention of the
legislation, and they have a promised…the rights we have under human rights article
and provision are upheld.”