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Displaying 30 random comments. Click here to see more.
Submitted | first-name | support | top-concern | message | template |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024-06-29 14:13:22 +02:00 | Jen | Not fully | All of the above | Yes I do | |
2024-06-27 08:06:56 +02:00 | J | No I do not | The Bill is unnecessary | What is the govt so fearful of? | No I do not |
2024-05-21 07:19:24 +02:00 | Noelle | No I do not | All of the above | Yes I do | |
2024-05-16 18:48:36 +02:00 | Charlie | No I do not | The Bill is vague and ambiguous | Yes I do | |
2024-05-10 08:16:43 +02:00 | Graeme | No I do not | All of the above | Dear Mr President, The Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill (the Bill), passed by the National Assembly on Tuesday, 5 December 2023, refers. REQUEST: I am writing to appeal to Your Excellency to send the Bill back to the National Assembly for reconsideration, because of the constitutional concerns below. CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE BILL’S DEFINITION OF HATE SPEECH: The Bill contravenes section 36 of the Constitution, because it is: Unnecessary as existing laws have already been successfully implemented in various criminal and civil cases of hate speech. Overbroad: The Bill’s definition of hate speech is broader than the Constitution’s definition of hate speech, criminalising speech the Constitution sees as protected. The Bill’s definition of hate speech is also broader than the Equality Act’s civil law definition of (civil) hate speech. This will make it easier to be found guilty of a criminal offence and sent to jail for up to five years than to be ordered to e.g. apologise under the Equality Act. Vague and ambiguous: The Bill’s different elements for the crime of hate speech are either undefined (e.g. hate) or vague and/or ambiguous (e.g. social cohesion). The Bill also contravenes the Constitution’s founding value of the rule of the law (section 1(c)), because it fails to define the essential element of hate. The result is that citizens are unable to know beforehand whether they are committing a crime or not. OTHER CONCERNS ABOUT THE BILL: The Bill fails to incorporate the United Nations’ Rabat Plan of Action threshold test (the requirements used to determine culpability for criminal hate speech). Thus it will cause South Africa to break its international law obligations and commitments to: uphold freedom of expression and impose criminal sanctions for hate speech only as a last resort measure in strictly justifiable circumstances. Thank you | No I do not |
2024-05-08 14:19:50 +02:00 | Ricardo | Yes I do | The broad definition of hate speech | Speech should be condemned in any form of the word. If you are a leader of any organisation or political group you should be responsible enough not to do hate speech. Because you’re misusing your authority in public And you are totally irresponsible . Because some people in some groups are taking the words literally. If get court the leader should be locked up with him. | No I do not |
2024-04-24 19:54:06 +02:00 | Lourens | No I do not | All of the above | Yes I do | |
2024-04-22 22:28:34 +02:00 | Silvana | No I do not | The broad definition of hate speech | No I do not | |
2024-04-22 20:08:04 +02:00 | Carina | No I do not | All of the above | Dear Mr President The Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill (the Bill), passed by the National Assembly on Tuesday, 5 December 2023, refers. Concerns about the bill People might get punished for saying things that could be hate speech because the bill doesn’t clearly say what “hate” means. Workplaces could get tense as bosses try to make sure no one says anything wrong, which could make people feel less free to talk. Courts could get confused, because judges will have to decide what counts as hate speech, and they might not all agree. People might stop sharing their opinions because they’re scared they’ll get in trouble. The government might not apply the law fairly, and some people could get punished while others don’t for similar things. The bill might go against the country’s main laws, which say people should know what’s allowed and what’s not. Other countries might criticize South Africa for not letting people speak freely. Artists, writers, and religious people might not be protected enough, even though the bill says it won’t affect them. Public talks might change, as people might avoid certain topics to stay safe. Businesses might have to spend money to follow the new rules, which could be expensive. Communities might argue more, especially if they feel like they can’t talk openly about important issues. Economic concerns Business Costs: Companies might have to spend a lot on training and legal fees to make sure they don’t break the new law. This could be really expensive and take money away from other important things. Investor Concerns: Investors from other countries might get worried about putting their money into South Africa. They might think it’s too risky if people aren’t free to speak or if the government can punish people easily for hate speech. Job Losses: If businesses have to pay more to follow the new rules, they might not be able to hire as many people. This could lead to job losses. Tourism: Tourists might not want to visit a country where free speech is limited. This could hurt the tourism industry, which is a big part of the economy. Trade: Other countries might not want to trade as much with South Africa. They might put sanctions or trade limits if they think the hate speech bill goes against freedom of speech. Talent Drain: Smart and creative people might decide to leave South Africa. They might move to countries where they can speak freely and share their ideas without fear. Innovation Stifled: When people can’t talk openly, new ideas and inventions might not happen as much. This could slow down progress and make the economy weaker | No I do not |
2024-04-22 19:30:57 +02:00 | Mina | No I do not | All of the above | The Lord freed us, He doesn't want us to be slave of others, the truth is the truth, there is nothing like hate peach, lie is a lie, you have to say it straight out amen | No I do not |
2024-04-22 18:48:23 +02:00 | Nelisiwe | No I do not | All of the above | This is against our faith and it's an insult to us as SA,what is it that you want to feed our children,what kind of a nation it's going to build,come n don't sign this we are being set up here | No I do not |
2024-04-22 18:43:18 +02:00 | Dr Hayley | No I do not | All of the above | Yes I do | |
2024-04-22 08:44:57 +02:00 | Sithandwa | No I do not | The Bill is unnecessary | No I do not | |
2024-04-21 19:07:03 +02:00 | Shemsya | No I do not | The Bill is unnecessary | No I do not | |
2024-04-21 15:01:30 +02:00 | Trevor | No I do not | All of the above | Yes I do | |
2024-04-18 20:30:05 +02:00 | Patricia | No I do not | All of the above | Speaking up when the government commits criminal acts against "we the people" is not "hate speech", it is the basic human right of every citizen in a democracy. If we no longer have that right we are living in a totalitarian dictatorship. | No I do not |
2024-04-18 08:48:22 +02:00 | Pocohantis | Yes I do | Other | Yes I do | |
2024-04-16 18:16:18 +02:00 | Regina | No I do not | All of the above | The bill is vague, unnecessary and leaves the door wide open for ideologies to be pushed down on innocent good peace loving citizens. Its application will cause harm not good. The bill should be reconsidered and allow for freedom of religion and freedom of speech which has been the foundation of a great nation for a long time. | Yes I do |
2024-04-16 12:21:42 +02:00 | Lesley | No I do not | All of the above | Yes I do | |
2024-04-15 14:36:01 +02:00 | Bridgitte | No I do not | All of the above | It is ungodly and demonic to pass this law and i refuse to the future generation to be subjected to such rubbish!!! | No I do not |
2024-04-15 09:17:11 +02:00 | Anja | Yes I do | Other | Yes I do | |
2024-04-13 22:19:41 +02:00 | Ingrid | No I do not | All of the above | Yes I do | |
2024-04-12 15:12:25 +02:00 | Benita Madelaine | No I do not | All of the above | Yes I do | |
2024-04-06 14:00:47 +02:00 | Francina | Not fully | All of the above | No I do not | |
2024-04-06 07:09:03 +02:00 | Pumezo | No I do not | All of the above | No I do not | |
2024-04-05 13:38:07 +02:00 | Abdulkarim | No I do not | All of the above | Yes I do | |
2024-04-05 13:26:57 +02:00 | DAWN | No I do not | The Bill is unnecessary | By imposing restrictions, it will curtail the ability of regular individuals to openly express their emotions and beliefs, thereby suppressing the democratic rights we fought so hard for, such as freedom of speech. Although the Constitution declares that "all individuals are equal under the law and entitled to its equal protection and benefits," this principle is more aspirational than reflective of the current state of affairs in South Africa. Evidence indicates that individuals lacking influence or financial resources are often prosecuted for the same actions for which more affluent individuals receive legal defense. I believe it is essential that the definition of hate speech does not target specific individuals or groups exclusively. I strongly oppose the signing of this Bill because I think this undermining of the principles defined by the Constitution. | Yes I do |
2024-04-03 16:41:24 +02:00 | Lisa | No I do not | All of the above | Total Government tyranny and violation of right to free speech | No I do not |
2024-03-19 19:53:30 +02:00 | Stephan | No I do not | All of the above | Yes I do | |
2024-03-19 14:48:32 +02:00 | Marta | No I do not | Constitutionality of the Bill | This Bill threatens citizens' right to free speech. It is a tool to stop people from saying what they think. It can be used by government officials to stop people saying anything negative about them, by threatening to send those people to jail. This Bill is so wrong, it is a doorway into a downwards spiral of many bad possibilities. The people must have the right to complain about government, as government officials are public servants and have to listen to their public, regardless if they like what those people have to say. | Yes I do |