Freedom of Speech Wins: Ireland Stalls Controversial Hate Speech Legislation

Censorship: A Growing Concern in Our Times

In a win for free speech, the Irish government dropped “hate speech” from proposed legislation. ADF International briefed Irish lawmakers on the dangers and, in June, gathered free speech advocates in Dublin to oppose the draconian “hate speech” bill.

Censorship remains a significant issue, shaping our lives both online and offline. Over the past year, the people of Ireland have strongly opposed a proposed law that threatened to criminalize free and peaceful speech.

In a victory for free expression, Irish Minister of Justice Helen McEntee recently announced that the controversial speech restrictions within the Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences Bill 2022, which had stalled in the Irish Senate, would not move forward. McEntee clarified, “The incitement to hatred element [of the bill] does not have a consensus, so that will be dealt with at a later stage.”

The Irish government had introduced the “hate speech” bill in response to rising incidents of violence, claiming that it was necessary to maintain law and order. However, critics argued that addressing violence requires targeted actions, not limiting free speech.

It’s worth noting that incitement to violence is already illegal in Ireland, and many saw the “hate speech” bill as an attempt to grant the government undue power to suppress speech it disfavored.

Striking a balance between protecting individuals from harm and safeguarding free speech is undoubtedly challenging. However, this balance should not come at the expense of silencing voices. The original draft of the bill included provisions that could have resulted in up to five years of imprisonment for possessing content deemed “hateful,” even though “hate” was not clearly defined in the law.

Such a sweeping and authoritarian approach to legislation must be rejected. True strength lies in fostering dialogue, not stifling differing opinions.

The ADF International newsletter echoed this sentiment, stating, “We stood with the people of Ireland—and always will. We’ve been working on this issue for the past 18 months, warning both Irish lawmakers and the broader public about the grave threats to freedom of speech contained within the bill.”

In June, ADF International, in collaboration with Free Speech Ireland, hosted an event at the Irish Parliament featuring international free speech advocates. The message was clear: the proposed bill would place Ireland among the most restrictive countries in the West in terms of free speech.

“Defending freedom of speech is critical if we are to live freely and speak the truth without fear of retribution. We must stand together to ensure the government listens,” the newsletter emphasized.

While this is a moment to celebrate, the fight is not over. Pro-censorship activists may still push for new laws that aim to silence speech in Ireland in the future. Remaining vigilant is crucial in safeguarding free expression for all.