3 ms·
I am not familiar with how these sorts of things are commonly interpreted in South Africa, but the it doesn't sound like that from a reading of the text. Why do
by chc 9y ago
I am not familiar with how these sorts of things are commonly interpreted in South Africa, but the it doesn't sound like that from a reading of the text. Why do you think it would extend to referring to a person with the wrong pronoun? It seems to define "hate speech" as speech that threatens or incites further harmful action, not merely offensive speech, and acknowledges constitutional protection for speech that does not "constitute incitement to cause harm."
- zo1 9y agoIt's a bit buried, the important part is in section 4, this one: Any person who intentionally, by means of any communication whatsoever, communicates to one or more persons in a manner that [...] is threatening, abusive or insulting towards any other person or group of persons. Further down: [...] which demonstrates a clear intention [...] to [...] bring into contempt or ridicule, any person or group of persons, based on race, gender, sex, which includes intersex, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, religion, belief, culture, language, birth, disability, HIV status, nationality, gender identity [...] is guilty of the offence of hate speech. So the definition of hate-speech, which carries a criminal penalty of up-to 3-10 years, now includes communication that is "abusive or insulting". Which is a very vague concept, and I don't think there is any clear expansion on it in the bill itself. Hopefully the wording changes before it gets passed. Otherwise I'm going to have to take my family out of this country for fear of political persecution. What else do you call it when insult and ridicule against groups becomes hate-speech. Edit. Fixed penalty years, up to.