The Southern African Liaison Office

The Southern African Liaison Office

International liaison, dialogue and research.

All Posts Policy Dialogues 

SALO Virtual Public Dialogue on the Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill – 14 Sept 2022

SALO

The workshop’s main focus area was the recent concerning trends in contemporary discourse on matters around migration, the treatment of migrants, and other marginalised communities in South Africa. The dialogue unpacked factors that precipitate rhetoric including clear cases of hate speech against refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, and how to deal with the rapid growth of vigilante groups like Operation Dudula.

This is happening against the backdrop of the South African Parliament giving effect to the Bill of Rights through the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill, which is currently under deliberation by Parliament. 

The keynote speaker to this dialogue was the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, John Jeffery, who gave an update on the progress of the Bill.

Watch the dialogue here