Hate Crime in Cyberspace: The Challenges of Substantive Criminal Law

33 Pages Posted: 9 Apr 2009

See all articles by Audrey Guinchard

Audrey Guinchard

University of Essex - School of Law

Date Written: April 9, 2009

Abstract

Hate crime evokes hate speech, but to assimilate one with the other would not do justice to the diversity of behaviors encompassed by the expression "hate crime". A first overview of the notion is necessary in order to highlight the key features of offenses involving hatred. A particular emphasis will be given to the specificity of cyberspace hate crimes both in the UK and in France. This comparison will enable us to tackle the main issue cyber-hate raises: that of the legitimacy and practicality of criminalizing behaviors related to hatred on the internet. The debates may not be specific to hate crimes but they are acute for at an international level, crime notably limits a freedom of expression which does not have the same meaning both legally and culturally. The Convention on cyber crime will also be looked at, especially that its critics argue that it did not go far enough into protecting victims of hate crimes at an international level.

Suggested Citation

Guinchard, Audrey, Hate Crime in Cyberspace: The Challenges of Substantive Criminal Law (April 9, 2009). Information and Communication Technology Law, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1375589 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1375589

Audrey Guinchard (Contact Author)

University of Essex - School of Law ( email )

Colchester, Essex CO43SQ
United Kingdom

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
625
Abstract Views
4,594
Rank
78,650
PlumX Metrics