1 February

5:53 PM

Have spoken to Opposition members & we have all agreed not to move our amendments in relation to *Freedom of Expression (Hate Crime). By not moving, will hopefully achieve concensus on a broad FoE clause for Stage 3 that covers all characteristics, so no group feels targetted

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 1, 2021

5:53 PM

We all want to ensure freedom of speech, including the freedom to disagree robustly with any policy, is protected. We also agree that this is not mutually exclusive to protecting the rights of people to be free from hatred.

I apologise for any hurt caused - was not my intention

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 1, 2021

5:53 PM

*With agreement of the Opposition the only FoE clause I will move will be in relation to religion. This provision has broad consensus, not just in Parliamentary terms but also from various stakeholders, from faith groups to secularists.

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 1, 2021

2 February

4:25 PM

Good Stage 2 Committee session. All parties united to work together to bring forward a Freedom of Expression clause that covers all characteristics & gives reassurance that robust discussion isn't going to be prosecuted but doesn't water down vital protections against hatred.

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 2, 2021

10 February

4:25 PM

Worth noting during yday's Committee session on Stage 2 of Hate Crime Bill, every single member of cross-Party Justice Committee voted *against* proposals to scrap the Stirring Up Offences that have garnered so much commentary. Govt & Opposition working constructively together.

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 10, 2021

13 February

7:50 AM

Scotland leading Europe when it comes to doses of the vaccine administered - brilliant!

A huge thanks to those involved in this monumental effort. pic.twitter.com/7SUdu0dxeg

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 13, 2021

17 February

12:46 PM

Positive signs vaccines are working in Scotland:

▪️Total number of deaths from Covid fallen for 3 consecutive weeks
▪️Deaths in Care Homes ⬇️ 62%
▪️Deaths in ppl's homes (and other non-institutional settings) ⬇️ 29%
▪️Deaths in hospitals ⬇️ 11%#Hope

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 17, 2021

22 February

5:00 PM

Good session hosted by Justice Comm about Freedom of Expression. Stakeholders making important point, best safeguard is high legal threshold in Bill

▪️New Stirring Up Offences are intent only
▪️Reasonable person test introduced
▪️Intent must be proven beyond reasonable doubt

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 22, 2021

5:00 PM

I will discuss with Opposition & lodge a FoE amendment in advance of Stage 3

Thousands are targeted by vile hatred every year in Scotland, we cannot let them down, we must ensure they are afforded strongest protections in law. This is not incompatible with Freedom of Speech.

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 22, 2021

23 February

11:37 AM

A new report into the extent of hate crimes committed in Scotland has highlighted almost two-thirds of all race-related hate offences had a visible minority ethnic (non-white) victim, a group that makes up around 4% of the population.

Read more➡️https://t.co/sQJDlfITv4 pic.twitter.com/vdYmRPKFqV

— ScotGov Justice (@ScotGovJustice) February 23, 2021

4:37 PM

▪️20% of hate crime targets pople due to their sexual orientation
▪️Hate crime against transgender people has more than doubled since 2015
▪️Police Officers are victims of one in five Hate Crimes

Legislation can help protect those most vulnerable to hatred

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 23, 2021

4:37 PM

Data shows why we need tools to tackle hate crime:

▪️Racial hatred largest category of hate crime (62%)
▪️Non-White ethnic minorities make up approx 4% of population yet make 64% of all race-related hate crime
▪️42% religious hatred is anti-Catholic
▪️26% is Islamaphobic https://t.co/KQ5BHayyUD

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 23, 2021

24 February

11:43 AM

The Lord Advocate must face Parliament to explain why the Crown Office are strong arming Parliament and suppressing evidence – not to protect victims’ identities – but to protect Nicola Sturgeon. pic.twitter.com/gNfaAZS2TA

— Scottish Conservatives (@ScotTories) February 24, 2021

25 February

5:02 PM

Our President, @amanda_millar has called on people with a public platform to "reflect carefully on the language they use, and respect the rule of law and the role of the legal profession." https://t.co/KwoLJCCzeg pic.twitter.com/gctYeyYokL

— Law Society Scotland (@Lawscot) February 25, 2021

27 February

11:18 AM

Will do politics another day, but today can I congratulate @AnasSarwar on becoming @scottishlabour leader - think this makes him first Muslim & Person of Colour leading a political party in UK, an incredible & historic achievement of which I am proud of him for. Well done Anas 👏

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 27, 2021