The National Action Plan to criminalize racism is merely steps away from being passed into law.
The due date for inputs to the Draft NAP to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance has been extended to 31 August 2016.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development says this is due to continuously growing public interest.
The NAP is being developed by the Institute of Justice and Reconciliation, in partnership with the Department, to act upon Government’s call to criminalise racism and to address issues of equality, equity and transformation.
According the Department, Cabinet approved the draft NAP was approved on 9 December 2015 and it has been available on the departmental website for public comments since 18 December 2015. Thus far, the department has conducted eight provincial consultations.
Once finalised, the NAP will be valid for five years and reviewed on an annual basis. This means that those who couldn’t submit their input by the end of August this year will still have an opportunity to comment on the plan.
The Department calls on all sectors of society to take advantage of the extend period of consultation and make their inputs before the end of August 2016.
Department spokesperson Adv. Mthunzi Mhaga at the Department has appealed to the public to make their input.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the final draft of the NAP reflects our views and assists in building a cohesive and tolerant society,” he says.