ALERT: PARLIAMENT RE-OPENS “HATE SPEECH BILL” FOR COMMENT

PARLIAMENT RE-OPENS “HATE SPEECH BILL” FOR COMMENT

Parliament has reopened the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill (“the Bill”) for public comment until Friday, Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill. The decision to reopen the Bill follows on from the Constitutional Court’s recent decision and definition of hate speech (in the Friday,1 October 2021. The decision to re-open the Bill follows on from the Constitutional Court’s recent decision and definition of hate speech (in the Qwelane). The Bill – for the first time in SA’s history – criminalises certain forms of expression. It defines “. Criminalisation of expression: The Bill – for the first time in SA’s history – criminalises certain forms of expression.It defines “hate speech” wider than the Constitutional Court, and makes “hate speech” acriminal offence(Clause 4(1)).

The offence will make any speech (as well as the distribution of such speech) that could be construed to be “harmful. 3-year jail sentence. The hate speech definition and criminalisation will potentially have dire repercussions on freedom of (religious) expression. Note: While we are encouraged by the inclusion of a “Religious Freedom Concerns: The hate speech definition and criminalisation will potentially have dire repercussions on freedom of (religious) expression.Note: While we are encouraged by the inclusion of a “religious exemption clause, it may not offer sufficient protection. Concerns, therefore, remain about the criminalisation of free expression. For SA, since they , and the mhave already submitted comments on the Bill, please submit again. Download the template submission for either organisations or individuals, to use “as is” or adapt, and send it to Parliament (Hatecrimes@parliament.gov.za) by no later than Friday, 1 October 2021. Please considerIndividual submissionfinancially as we are 100% dependent upon donations. Your gift will help us continue to protect and promote your constitutional rights to teach, preach, and live out your faith.

We look forward to continuing to partner with you in this cause!Warm regards,Organisation submission
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