In October 2016, the CRL Rights Commission released its Report on the “commercialisation” of religion and abuse of people’s belief systems. The Report recommends the broad-scale regulation of religion in South Africa, including the compulsory registration and licensing (depending on doctrine) of all religious institutions and religious practitioners. The deadline […]
Tag: hate speech
Bill attacks freedom of speech — our right to tell people what they don’t want to hear
It is a sad day for democracy and the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression when the State decides to legislate what is (or is not) acceptable speech, and further prescribes criminal sanctions in the form of fines and jail time for those who may be found guilty […]
Help available to get your comments on Hate Speech Bill in by January 31 deadline
Freedom of Religion SA (FOR SA) has prepared a sample submission on the Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill which churches and individuals can copy or adapt and submit to government by January 31 2017 which is the deadline for submissions. With its very broad definition of hate speech, FOR […]
Take action on religious, speech freedom threats — sign two online petitions
Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) have posted two online petitions which provide South Africans with an easy way to oppose current government-driven threats to freedom of religion and freedom of speech. FOR SA NEWSFLASH This afternoon (Thursday November 17 2016), FOR SA, acting on behalf of over 69 […]
Talking about hate crimes and racism…
EFF leader Julius Malema’s recent tirade against white South Africans has left me wondering if his future unguarded speeches will fall foul of the proposed Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill. This bill, which was published for public comment, makes provision for perpetrators to spend up […]
Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill fraught with problems
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development recently released the long-awaited and very controversial Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill. (The Bill is available for download at http://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/invitations/invites.htm). In essence, the bill creates two new criminal offences in South African law, namely “hate crimes” and “hate […]
Bishop criticises Malema over racist hate speech
Originally published in Anglican Communion News Service. The Bishop of Johannesburg, Dr Steve Moreo, has criticised EFF leader Julius Malema after he appeared to call for the murder of white people. Malema said on Monday (November 7): “We are not calling for the slaughtering of white people – at least […]
Freedom of religion and speech facing one of greatest threats yet!
See Opinion by Ron Steele This week has seen the State proposing two pieces of legislation which arguably pose one of the greatest threats to religious freedom (including the autonomy of the Church to govern her own affairs) and free speech in South Africa yet! If we do not take […]
Hidden agenda behind campaign to ban US hate preacher
By ChristianView Network Mid-day today, 13 September 2016, the Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba announced the banning of American Hate Preacher Steve Anderson from entering South Africa. South African Christian groups strongly opposed to homosexuality, including the Evangelical Alliance of South Africa, the Baptist Union of South Africa (Anderson […]
Hate speech can be a Trojan horse against freedom of speech
Most people would agree that Freedom of Speech is a human right of paramount importance in any free and democratic society. While people may have widely differing opinions on any issue, they should be entitled to express them. As Evelyn Beatrice Hall (English author, best known for her biography of […]