Apostasy, Blasphemy, and Hate Speech Laws in Africa: Implications for Freedom of Religion or Belief
Washington, DC: United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) (2019), 52 pp.
"This report shines light on the following trends:
- Blasphemy and apostasy laws are often overbroad and can be used to limit a variety of religious expression. These laws violate international human rights law and should be repealed.
- Hate speech laws are also generally overbroad and can be used to limit a variety of religious expression. These laws should be re-drafted to comply with international standards.
- Laws restricting the media and free press are often used to prohibit hate speech on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, and other factors, with the written intent to protect those individual identities; however, these laws are also often open to misuse for political purposes.
- Hate speech laws often lack independent oversight mechanisms and have inappropriate punishments.
- Hate speech laws often are not integrated into larger plans aimed at effectively reducing intolerance and hatred in society. Where speech is protected and therefore not able to be limited through legislation, states can use other strategies and tools to address problems of hate speech and discrimination against certain groups. Meaningful and inclusive partnership with civil society is key for governments to achieve these goals." (Executive summary)
- Blasphemy and apostasy laws are often overbroad and can be used to limit a variety of religious expression. These laws violate international human rights law and should be repealed.
- Hate speech laws are also generally overbroad and can be used to limit a variety of religious expression. These laws should be re-drafted to comply with international standards.
- Laws restricting the media and free press are often used to prohibit hate speech on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, and other factors, with the written intent to protect those individual identities; however, these laws are also often open to misuse for political purposes.
- Hate speech laws often lack independent oversight mechanisms and have inappropriate punishments.
- Hate speech laws often are not integrated into larger plans aimed at effectively reducing intolerance and hatred in society. Where speech is protected and therefore not able to be limited through legislation, states can use other strategies and tools to address problems of hate speech and discrimination against certain groups. Meaningful and inclusive partnership with civil society is key for governments to achieve these goals." (Executive summary)
