HATE crime laws in Scotland are to be strengthened to include people targeted because of disabilities or their sexual orientation.

HATE crime laws in Scotland are to be strengthened to include people targeted because of disabilities or their sexual orientation.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced today the Scottish Government would back a Bill proposed by Glasgow Green MSP Patrick Harvie."

Mr Harvie said: "For too long our justice system has been oblivious to the motivation behind hate crimes against these groups.

"These proposals, if Parliament backs them, will mean these divisive and scarring crimes are deterred more effectively and taken more seriously, just as racially motivated attacks already are.

"We want a Scotland where these offences are made a thing of the past and where all Scots are treated with dignity and respect.

"This Bill would also mean proper records of this kind of attacks are kept for the first time, so we can see what progress is being made each year towards that goal."

After receiving government support for his proposals, Mr Harvie added: "This is how the new politics should work - government and opposition parties working closely on issues where they agree.

"I urge MSPs from all parties to support these changes in Parliament."

Mr Harvie's Sentencing of Offences Aggravated by Prejudice (Scotland) Bill was also backed by Morag Alexander, of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights.

She said: "If you have a mental health problem or a learning disability, of if you are gay or transgendered (cross dressers, transvestites and transsexuals), you are more likely to have experienced abuse, threats and violence, simply because of who you are. This is unacceptable."

Tim Hopkins, policy and legislation worker for the Equality Network, claimed one in four gays have been victims of homophobic violence and two in three had been threatened or harassed.

Chief Constable Ian Latimer, of Northern Constabulary, speaking on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, also said it supported the proposals.

Racial or religiously motivated crimes are already regarded as aggravated crimes and the courts are required to take that into account when sentencing offenders.