One of them was also charged with 'improper use of a social networking site.'
The poppy is a symbol of the National Day of Remembrance, worn around this time of year. While I cannot comment directly on this ongoing case or investigation, it made me wonder - what exactly does 'incitement to hatred' mean?
The right to freedom of expression is protected by law in Northern Ireland, as are the rights freedom to impart an opinion and freedom to march and protest is protected by law in Northern Ireland. However, these rights are not absolute, as Liam Thornton at Rights NI explored today. The Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order of 1997 prohibits inciting hatred or arousing fear based on the grounds of race, colour, nationality (including citizenship),
disability, sexual orientation, religion or national or ethnic origin.
It will be interesting to see what comes out of this case - especially as one of the teenagers was charged with 'improper use of social networking.'
What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.
