Petitioner: Mark McCabe
Status:
Closed
Date Lodged:
26 July 2017
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to abolish the common law crimes of blasphemy, heresy and profanity to the extent that they remain law.
Summary:
21 September 2017: The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. Link to the Official Report 21 September 2017
22 March 2018: The Committee agreed to defer further consideration of the petition until the findings of the review of hate crime legislation are published. Link to the Official Report 22 March 2018
13 September 2018: The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders on the basis that the Scottish Government has no plans to abolish the common law crimes of blasphemy and the independent review of hate crime legislation made no recommendations to amend existing laws with regard to religious hatred in relation to blasphemy. In closing the petition, it also agreed to write to the Scottish Government in relation to its public consultation planned for autumn 2018, drawing the Government's attention to the Committee's discussion. Link to Official Report 13 September 2018.
Written submissions: