Exactly. We end up with a list of state approved political opinions. Anyone who offers a printing service could be forced to produce literature, leaflets, posters etc for those opinions, whilst literature supporting opposing opinions can be refused. That's actually very undemocratic.
Rather than predicted scenarios, as this isn't something new, 1998, what have the effects been?
The law
The Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998
(FETO), as amended, makes discrimination on grounds of religious belief
and/or political opinion unlawful in the following areas:
• employment;
• provision of goods, facilities or services;
• disposal or management of premises;
• further and higher education.
The 1998 Order was amended by the Fair Employment and Treatment
Order (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 in
December 2003 to meet the requirements of the EU Framework
Directive for Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation.
Rather than predicted scenarios, as this isn't something new, 1998, what have the effects been?
The context of the post you quoted is in response to someone who suggests that messages opposing gay marriage should be outlawed while those which support it aren't.
The context of the post you quoted is in response to someone who suggests that messages opposing gay marriage should be outlawed while those which support it aren't.
Yes I understand that and I disagree with the poster. The law also protects against such a situation. I asked what has the effect been so far, of this 16 year old law, in NI?
Yes I understand that and I disagree with the poster. The law also protects against such a situation. I asked what has the effect been so far, of this 16 year old law, in NI?
My concern is about what future ramifications this present ruling may have if it establishes that a service is implicitly inclusive of all possible requests and cannot contain exclusions on religious grounds.
My concern is about what future ramifications this present ruling may have if it establishes that a service is implicitly inclusive of all possible requests and cannot contain exclusions on religious grounds.
Political or religious discrimination has never been challenged in 16 years?
I think I've made my position clear Anne. Putting words in my mouth or trying to create silly strawmen isn't going to further the debate.
I do apologise if it seemed like that, but I wasn't being challenging at all. I was curious that's all, as this particular law doesn't exist in the rest of Britain. All I do know is it's the first time it's been challenged in this type of situation.
I understand that - but as the message was a call for equality for gay people, from an LGBT organisation, it might be construed as indirect discrimination. That's why it needs testing by a court.
There may be an Appeal so it could change, but I think the law needs review for further clarification of whose rights are top trumps, and in what circumstances.
Comments
Rather than predicted scenarios, as this isn't something new, 1998, what have the effects been?
The context of the post you quoted is in response to someone who suggests that messages opposing gay marriage should be outlawed while those which support it aren't.
Yes I understand that and I disagree with the poster. The law also protects against such a situation. I asked what has the effect been so far, of this 16 year old law, in NI?
My concern is about what future ramifications this present ruling may have if it establishes that a service is implicitly inclusive of all possible requests and cannot contain exclusions on religious grounds.
If its a service ie baking a cake the bakery should have the right to say No we don't want to do this inscription.
It is not right that someone can threaten a bakery and demand financial compensation for hurt feelings and threaten with a court case .
In the spirit of equality who decided that the activists rights were MORE important than the bakery's rights.
Of course the law in northern Ireland must be changed similar to here in England but that's for politicians to sort out.
Political or religious discrimination has never been challenged in 16 years?
I think I've made my position clear Anne. Putting words in my mouth or trying to create silly strawmen isn't going to further the debate.
Clearly it hasn't in this context otherwise the equalities commission wouldn't be taking the bakery to court to test where the law lies.
I do apologise if it seemed like that, but I wasn't being challenging at all. I was curious that's all, as this particular law doesn't exist in the rest of Britain. All I do know is it's the first time it's been challenged in this type of situation.
You were right, this was needed and has happened. Many people will remain uncomfortable with today's verdict, though. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-32791239
There may be an Appeal so it could change, but I think the law needs review for further clarification of whose rights are top trumps, and in what circumstances.