WHY SHOULD THERE BE HATE CRIME LAWS

Abstract

Last few decades are characterized by a dramatic increase in awareness of states and international forums for the
hate crimes and the need for a legal response. However, these developments are accompanied by fierce debates - in
the legal academic circles and the public at large - whether hate crime laws are justified and necessary. This paper
starts from the fact that hate crime laws are clearly justified, or that it is justified to punish hate and prejudice and
focuses on the question whether it is necessary to do so. Or in the words of Frederick Lawrence, a state may do so -
but should it? This paper will offer some new perspectives of arguments in favour of the hate crime legislation that
allow us to say that the hate crime laws are not only justified but also essential. The methods used are mainly
descriptive and interpretative method.