Maris Lauri: Hate speech or feud speech law in the works - PM
11 Feb 2021 EWR Online
Minister of Justice Maris Lauri. PHOTO: Madis Veltman
Will we see hate speech legislation?
Hate speech or rather feud speech legislation is in the pipeline. The relevant question here is what is feud speech? It is when someone urges an attack against certain people simply because they belong to a group they cannot change. Its consequences could be battery or manslaughter. Should we really refrain from punishing people who urge crimes to be committed?
In other words, Reform and Center will return to the hate speech bill?
Yes.
Could breaking the feud speech law land a person in prison in the future?
Terms of punishment need to be reviewed. In the European context, criminal punishment is possible when feud speech results in criminal offenses and brings severe consequences. It could be between one and three years [in prison]. It is up to Estonia. I would like for people not to incite hatred against one another, while those who do need to be punished.
Could the case of lawyer Andrei Vesterinen or an aggressive public phone call to the head of the COVID-19 scientific council be filed under feud speech? Or what about the recent attack on North Estonia Medical Center (PERH) Chief of Medicine Peep Talving?
No, these are not examples of feud speech. The latter concerns calls to attack a group of people with certain characteristics. For example, we could be talking about hate speech had people been urged to attack those of a certain height.
The government needs to pass an anti-corruption strategy for the next five years. How should this activity plan differ from its predecessor?
The previous government finished the plan and it has been discussed in Riigikogu committees and groups. It is largely a joint effort. Looking at the big picture, Estonia has managed corruption quite successfully, while it is always possible to do better. People sense it when things are bad and dissatisfaction with the status quo is a driving force.
There are different types of corruption, while political corruption is the one that really stands out. What could be concrete measures or amendments here?
I would add that Estonia has climbed to 17th place in the international corruption perception index. Could the latter serve as a gauge of your efforts?
Yes, the corruption index could serve as one indicator. It is also possible other countries are making even greater efforts and overtaking us for that reason. Of course, it would be great if we could be on top or thereabouts. I believe the key lies in how people think, while legislation regularly requires amending.
