BLASPHEMY (ABOLITION OF OFFENCES AND RELATED MATTERS) ACT 2019

1.

Abolition of offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel

Abolition of offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel

1. Any rule of law by virtue of which—

(a) blasphemy, or

(b) blasphemous libel,

is an offence is abolished.

2.

Amendment of section 7 of Censorship of Films Act 1923

Amendment of section 7 of Censorship of Films Act 1923

2. Section 7(2)(a)(ii) of the Censorship of Films Act 1923 is amended by the substitution of “indecent or obscene” for “indecent, obscene or blasphemous”.

3.

Amendment of section 3 of Censorship of Films (Amendment) Act 1925

Amendment of section 3 of Censorship of Films (Amendment) Act 1925

3. Section 3(2) of the Censorship of Films (Amendment) Act 1925 is amended by the substitution of “indecent or obscene” for “indecent, obscene, or blasphemous”.

4.

Repeal of sections 36 and 37 of Defamation Act 2009

Repeal of sections 36 and 37 of Defamation Act 2009

4. Sections 36 and 37 of the Defamation Act 2009 are repealed.

5.

Short title and commencement

Short title and commencement

5. (1) This Act may be cited as the Blasphemy (Abolition of Offences and Related Matters) Act 2019.

(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister for Justice and Equality may appoint by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or different provisions.