Your voice matters, which is why the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services wants to hear from you! They have invited stakeholders and interested members of the public to submit their thoughts and opinions on the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill before the 31 January 2019.
What is The Hate Speech Bill?
First introduced in 2016, the Hate Speech Bill provides a legislative framework for the classification of hate speech as an offence and for the prosecution of offenders.
According to Madipoane Refiloe Moremadi Mothapo, Justice and Correctional Services Portfolio Committee chairperson, “The purpose of the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill is, among other things, to give effect to the obligations in terms of the constitution and international human rights instruments concerning racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in accordance with international law obligations”.
What Does The Bill Aim To Achieve?
Other than providing for the offence of hate crime and the offence of hate speech, the Hate Speech Bill aims to:
- Give effect to the Republic’s obligations in terms of the Constitution and international human rights instruments concerning racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in accordance with international law obligations;
- Provide for the offence of hate crime and the offence of hate speech
and the prosecution of persons who commit those offences; - Provide for appropriate sentences that may be imposed on persons who commit hate crime and hate speech offences;
- Provide for the prevention of hate crimes and hate speech;
- Provide for the reporting on the implementation, application and administration of this Act; and
- Effect consequential amendments to certain Acts of Parliament; and
to provide for matters connected therewith.
Make Your Voice Heard
If you wish to submit your views on the matter, you must present your submissions in writing no later than 31 January 2019. You should also indicate whether or not you are interested in making a verbal presentation.
Please note that submissions and enquiries must be directed to Mr V Ramaano, Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, 3rd Floor, 90 Plein Street, Cape Town, 8000 or emailed to [email protected].
To download the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill, B9-2018, click here.