Australia has introduced strict laws to combat hate crimes, introducing mandatory minimum sentences for a range of terrorism offenses and displaying hate symbols, following a spate of antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. <\/p>\n
The new laws passed Thursday toughen punishment for hate crimes, including minimum six-year prison sentences for terrorism offenses, and at least 12-month sentences for less serious hate crimes \u2013 such as giving a Nazi salute in public. <\/p>\n
The legislation also creates new offenses for threatening force or violence against targeted groups and people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion or ethnicity. <\/p>\n
The changes were first proposed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese\u2019s Labor government last year amid an uptick in antisemitic attacks and calls for tougher penalties for offenders. <\/p>\n
At the time, the proposed legislation didn\u2019t include mandatory sentencing, which Albanese has previously vehemently opposed. <\/p>\n
However, this week the government finally relented following criticism from Albanese\u2019s political opponents that he wasn\u2019t doing enough to combat antisemitism. <\/p>\n
The Law Council of Australia said it was \u201cextremely disappointed\u201d that mandatory sentencing had been included. <\/p>\n
\u201cMandatory sentencing laws are arbitrary and limit the individual\u2019s right to a fair trial by preventing judges from imposing a just penalty based on the unique circumstances of each offense and offender,\u201d council president Juliana Warner said in a statement. <\/p>\n
Many among Australia\u2019s 117,000-strong Jewish population are anxious after a series of antisemitic attacks in its two biggest cities, Sydney and Melbourne \u2013 including arson attacks on a childcare center and synagogues, as well as swastikas scrawled on buildings and cars. <\/p>\n
In late January, authorities said they\u2019d foiled a potential \u201cmass casualty\u201d attack with the discovery of a trailer packed with explosives in northwest Sydney, and \u201csome indications\u201d it was to be used against targets in the Jewish community. <\/p>\n
While state and federal investigators have been assigned to special taskforces to make arrests, Jewish leaders have been demanding more action from government officials. <\/p>\n
Authorities are investigating more than a dozen \u201cserious allegations\u201d among more than 166 reports of antisemitic attacks received since mid-December, when Special Operation Avalite was formed to address rising antisemitism. <\/p>\n
Officers are looking beyond suspects accused of carrying out the crimes, to \u201coverseas actors\u201d who may have paid for their services, the police added. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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