Minister pledges 'bespoke' hate crime law 'as soon as possible' – after consultation - Jersey Evening Post
by James Sharp · Jersey Evening PostPosted inNews
Minister pledges ‘bespoke’ hate crime law ‘as soon as possible’ – after consultation
by James Sharp 16 July 202615 July 2026
Share this:
Senator Helen Miles. (39320706)
A LONG-AWAITED law to tackle hate crimes against Jersey’s diverse communities will not be published until after a public consultation – although ministers say it will be brought forward “as soon as possible”.
Senator Helen Miles told the JEP that a consultation to inform the development of the legislation is underway and due to be finalised.
Her comments respond, in part, to increasing calls across Jersey for the government to bring in legislation capable of addressing the specificities of a hate crime.
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Law showed that racially motivated hate crimes in Jersey more than doubled over a nine-year period, rising from 21 reports in 2016 to 44 reports last year.
In the UK, such crimes are covered by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and section 66 of the Sentencing Act 2020 – but no comparable law exists in Jersey.
Former Home Affairs Minister Mary Le Hegarat said in February that the next government ought to update the law “as a matter of priority”, claiming that her own attempts to address the issue had been hampered by a lack of resources.
In a statement, her successor Senator Miles said it would “clearly” be “preferable” to “have legislation that is bespoke to Jersey and caters for our diverse community.
“With that in mind, I have instructed officers to finalise a consultation to inform the development of a new law, to be published as soon as possible,” she explained.
“The aim of the further consultation is to enable policy development for legislation that is proportionate, enforceable, reflects human rights obligations, protects vulnerable groups and supports a fair, trusted justice system.”
Newly appointed Chair of the Children, Education and Home Affairs Panel Victoria Li pledged to “scrutinise any such proposals carefully when they come forward”.
She told the JEP that this will include how new offences would be defined, evidenced, and applied in practice.
“I would encourage Islanders, particularly those in the communities most affected, to make their voices heard when the opportunity comes,” added Deputy Li.
Kaye Nicholson, chief executive of diversity and equality charity Liberate, described potential new legislation for hate crime offences as a “clear message that we recognise the higher risks faced by minority groups”.
“Liberate has been actively calling for the introduction of hate-crime legislation in Jersey for the last few years,” she said.
“Whilst the previous Minister for Justice and Home Affairs committed to its introduction during the previous assembly term, recognising that modern and comprehensive protections are indeed needed, this was unfortunately delayed due to resourcing issues.
“We look forward to meeting with the new minister on progressing the introduction of this legislation as soon as possible, to afford these necessary protections for people who face discriminatory and targeted abuse on the basis of who they are.”
In April this year, a Jersey resident and African community leader was racially abused in Millenium Park while out walking with his family.
The man responsible was arrested the same day and later pleaded guilty to a single count of “engaging in disorderly conduct” – an offence that, notably, contains no reference to the racially motivated nature of the incident.
Ms Nicholson explained: “Data has shown a significant increase in the number of racially motivated crimes.
“But we also know that there is a significant level of underreporting of hate crimes in general, perhaps in part due to the absence of dedicated legislation.
“We continue to liaise with the States of Jersey Police on increasing the awareness of the ability to report these types of incidents – they are not and should not be accepted as ‘just a part of life’ for people.”
Related
Read the latest free supplements
Read the Homelife, Connect and a whole host of other subjects like ranging from cycling to travel.
View all our latest supplements now >