Criminalising racism in tumultuous times

The South African government is drafting the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill, which was to be tabled in Parliament by September 2016. This is despite existing laws governing unfair discrimination, hate speech, crimen injuria and defamation under which acts of racism can be prosecuted. Gregory Houston and team discuss the draft Bill. The Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill responds to a surge in racist incidents, as well as calling for stricter penalties for racists. It provides for the criminalisation of conduct that amounts to incitement, instigation and conspiracy to commit hate crimes, and hatred encouraged through racist comments on social media.