The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship has criticised the UK government for "rushing through" gay rights laws in Northern Ireland, despite opposition from churches and faith groups.
The Northern Ireland Sexual Orientation Regulations (SOR) are due to come before Parliament this week despite Ruth Kelly's recent admission that the government would delay the England, Wales and Scotland SORs by six months to address the "difficult issues" highlighted by the response of faith groups to the consultation.
In light of this postponement, the LCF accused the government "rushing through" identical regulations in Northern Ireland by using their direct rule powers while the Northern Ireland Assembly remains suspended.
The Northern Ireland SORs will be in force by 1 January, the government has said. "This means the NI Regulations which have received far less thought and consideration, will set a precedent for the England, Wales and Scotland SORs which are not due to come into force until April 2007."
The LCF said: "To rush the [Northern Ireland] law through without even waiting to respond to the many submissions received to the [Northern Ireland] consultation is unjust and undemocratic. It is a tactic which appears to deliberately undermine the process of consultation that has gone on in England, Wales and Scotland.
"That the government have done this in a place with such strong religious traditions and beliefs as Northern Ireland only worsens the situation."
The group also said the Northern Ireland regulations were much tougher than the original proposals in that they now make it illegal to harass someone on the basis of their sexual orientation rather than subject them to overt victimisation.
This change in the proposals is "extremely concerning", LCF warned, because it means that homosexuals could sue if they feel their "dignity has been violated" or that they have been subjected to a ''humiliating or offensive environment" by the behaviour of a shop, business or school.
Critics fear that Christian bookshops could face court cases under the harassment clauses if homosexuals felt that their dignity had been violated by material in their stores promoting marriage or opposing homosexuality. Similarly, faith schools could also be sued if a gay student who disagreed with his school's teaching of marriage or sexual relationships felt that the classes undermined his dignity.
The regulations have come under fire from Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders who are concerned that their priests may be taken to court if they refuse to bless same-sex unions but their appeals for exemption have so far remained unsuccessful.
Churches also fear they will be forced to hire out their buildings and facilities, often including conference facilities, to pro-gay groups holding pro-gay events.
Businesses found guilty of breaking the new rules in Northern Ireland could face fines of between £500 and £5,000 for a first offence, while repeated breaches of the rules will incur fines of between £5,000 and £15,000. More serious cases could see awards of £25,000 in damages.
