Courts are to be given new powers to punish more severely crimes motivated by religious sectarianism, racism and homophobia.
The Northern Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy, announced at the British Labour conference yesterday that judges would pass stiffer sentences where criminals based their actions on hatred.
The onus of proof, however, will likely lie with the prosecution to prove motivation for a crime was hatred.
The move follows a spate of incidents involving death threats against a priest, intimidation and the campaign against members of Northern Ireland's District Policing Partnerships.
Loyalists are believed to be behind a gun attack on a Catholic home in the Ballysally area of Coleraine, Co Derry, early yesterday. No one was hurt in the incident, the second attack in a week at the house where a Tyrone GAA flag has been flying.
The flag was taken down, wrapped around a brick and thrown through a window on Tuesday. Two shots were fired at the house last night.
The family have left the house and may not return.
The PSNI is convinced the incidents are linked and motivated by sectarianism.
The intimidation was condemned by Mr John Dallat, of the SDLP, and by the DUP mayor of the borough, Mr Dessie Stewart.
Speaking in Bournemouth yesterday, Mr Murphy said the new measures would underscore the need to crack down on crimes of hatred in Northern Ireland.
"These proposals are for important changes in legislation which will strengthen the position of sentencers when dealing with crime motivated by hatred, and will give them the power to sentence more severely.
"These reinforce the message to society that crime motivated by sectarianism, racism and hatred of sexual orientation is unacceptable."
The new measures follow a consultation exercise which began in November, and was concluded in March this year.
Mr Murphy announced the maximum penalty for criminal damage motivated by religious bigotry would rise from 10 to 14 years. He said those who threaten violence would see maximum sentences increase from five to seven years, and that grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm would rise from five to seven years.
"These proposals send out the message that sectarianism and racism have no place in our community, and are an important step in establishing a safer and more tolerant society in Northern Ireland, which I am sure that the people of Northern Ireland will warmly welcome."
The proposals were welcomed by politicians and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
The chief commissioner, Ms Joan Harbison, said: "The equality commission has been urging the government to introduce 'hate crime' legislation to mark the seriousness with which our society views such incidents for some time."
The Alliance party said the introduction of new laws against hate crimes was "long overdue". Mr Stephen Farry said: "Hate crime measures are only one element of a broader strategy that is necessary to tackle sectarianism and other forms of prejudice."
Mr Alban Maginness, of the SDLP, said: "It is precisely because of the high amount of sectarian crime that we desperately need laws like these."
Ms Michelle Gildernew, the Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh-South Tyrone, welcomed the legislation, but warned: "A key component of any legislation on sectarianism, racism or homophobia must be to target incitement to hatred."
Ms Jane Morrice, of the Women's Coalition, said: "Strengthening the law is an important part of the strategy to tackle sectarianism and racism, but it must be accompanied by education in schools and through the media and community-based initiatives.
"Many children are not taught about religious or ethnic groups that make up Northern Ireland, and we know that prejudice and fear often come from ignorance."