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Key victory for human decency
IT would be shortsighted, in the extreme, to label Simon Sheppard and Stephen Whittle as freedom-of-speech martyrs after the pair were finally – and deservedly – jailed yesterday for a litany of race-hate offences.
Their actions, repulsive and repugnant in the extreme, did absolutely nothing to advance the cause of free speech or assist those who seek to air views of legitimate public concern.
Chillingly, and in a calculated manner, they sought to denigrate Jews, Muslims and others on account of something that they cannot alter – the colour of the skin, or their parents' religious faith.
Even in a tolerant society like Britain, where people's views are as diverse as the demographic make-up of the country, Sheppard and Whittle overstepped the mark.
Their inflammable material could hardly be construed as reasonable. It included grotesque images of murdered Jews alongside cartoons and articles ridiculing ethnic groups.
It had to be punished by the courts.
This landmark case, at Leeds Crown Court, also set a key precedent. Even though the internet has transformed the way people communicate – and many now use the web to express their views behind a cloak of anonymity – this prosecution has shown that the police have the ability to trace those who choose to incite hatred and encourage the persecution of ethnic minorities.
That the two defendants chose to skip bail and flee to America where they tried – and failed – to seek asylum is a credit to the level of international co-operation which was required to bring Sheppard and Whittle to justice, and end this protracted case.
Given the global parameters of the worldwide web, this is particularly important and sends out a stark message that there is no hiding place, anywhere, for such narrow-minded, and racist, individuals who choose to spread vile material that is abhorrent to right-thinking people from all communities and backgrounds.
As such, the jailing of Sheppard and Whittle can be regarded as a victory for human decency over evil intent.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Friday 25 May 2012
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