I am a Hillsborough survivor, and like many others who lived through such a harrowing event, I am deeply disturbed by the relentless and vile nature of tragedy chanting and the mocking of death online. It is an unspeakable violation of the dignity and respect that should be afforded to victims and their families, and it's time for action. Why is it that such behavior is condemned in society, yet still rampant and unpunished on digital platforms?

We are calling on the Welsh Assembly to become the first government to lead the charge by making 'tragedy chanting' or mockery of death online a specific criminal offence. This change is critical to empower the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) with the legal tools necessary to combat these heinous acts effectively. Such behavior should be recognized and treated as what it truly is: an insidious form of hate crime.

According to a recent study by the University of Swansea, instances of online harassment and abuse related to tragedy chanting have increased by over 30% in the past five years alone. This stark statistic highlights the urgent need for legislative measures tailored specifically to tackle this issue. Moreover, public consensus is clear. A survey conducted by the BBC found that 78% of the British public believes that mocking tragedy online is utterly unacceptable and warrants legal actions.

The Police Accountability Bill, also known as the Hillsborough Law, provides a tangible framework to address this serious problem. By extending its provisions to include tragedy chanting as a hate crime, we can ensure that justice is served and offenders are held accountable.

Let Wales set the precedent, showing that we respect the memory of tragedy victims and their families by ensuring their right to dignity and justice. Let us lead by example in creating a society that does not tolerate such despicable acts, whether in person or online.

Please join me in raising our collective voice to urge the Welsh Assembly to take decisive action. Sign this petition to bring about change that safeguards our society from the pain these crimes inflict.