The Christian Institute has criticised the Stormont Executive for proposing sweeping changes to hate crime legislation which could profoundly restrict religious liberty and free speech.
A Bill to ban people near abortion clinics in Northern Ireland from handing out pro-life literature or speaking to anyone about abortion has passed its latest stage at Stormont.
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NI to consider smacking ban
NI to consider smacking ban
29 Apr 2021
Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister intends to put forward legislation that criminalises parents who discipline their children.
Naomi Long has pledged to include measures to ban smacking as part of the Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill due to be considered later this year.
The Alliance MLA is now seeking the approval of the Executive for her proposals.
Reasonable chastisement
Long complained that the current law allows parents to use reasonable chastisement in disciplining their children.
She noted concerns that stopping this could lead “to the prosecutions and potential criminalisation of parents”, but claimed “there can be uncertainty as to what constitutes a minor harm and potential child abuse cases may be missed”.