Dear friends,
On January 1, a young woman called Noxie went out to celebrate the New Year. At the party, a man insulted her for being a lesbian. He yelled she should "stop this business". Noxie argued back. He then pulled out a knife and stabbed her three times. She died shortly after.
Hate crimes against LGBT people are not rare in South Africa – but perpetrators often go unpunished.
For 10 long years now, our Department of Justice has promised to enact a law to protect LGBT people and other vulnerable groups from hate crimes.
The bill is ready but our Minister of Justice, Michael Masutha, is in no rush to move it forward and allow Parliament to discuss it.
My group – the Hate Crimes Working Group – is launching a report today that shows the extent of this crisis. Media is starting to talk about it, so this is our best chance to get the Minister's attention and show him that the world is demanding he takes action.
At least five innocent LGBT lives have been lost to brutal hate crimes here in South Africa this year alone. There are likely many others that haven't been reported.
If this bill becomes law, it will put in place roles and responsibilities for various state departments to combat and address hate crimes. It would also be an important reminder that violent crimes against LGBT people and other vulnerable groups are never acceptable.
The Hate Crimes Bill would still have a long way to go before it becomes law. Getting the Minister of Justice to move it forward is really just the first step – and we need your help to make it happen.
Thanks for going All Out,
Matthew Clayton
Secretary
The Hate Crimes Working Group – South Africa
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