Racial Attacks: Oz plans to introduce 'Hate Laws'

Melbourne, Jun 2: To counter further racist attacks on Indian state, Australia is planning to introduce hate laws. Authorities in Victoria said they would try to bring the necessary changes in the laws so that judges can take account of prejudice against a particular group of people when sentencing for a crime, a new agency reports.

This step comes as an attempt to heal the effects of the series of attacks on Indian students that has come into the light recently. The changes would reportedly apply to hate crimes prompted by religion, sexual orientation and gender, as well as race.

"It may lead, in certain circumstances, to increased penalties," Victorian state Attorney-General Rob Hulls was quoted as saying.

Hulls added that, the laws were aimed at ensuring that the judges take into account if a crime was committed purely based on hatred or vilification of a particular group or otherwise. The changes may be implemented by the end of the year, he informed.

OneIndia News