On 22 May, the FW de Klerk Foundation made a submission to the Select Committee on Security and Justice of the National Council of Provinces on the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill (the Bill). The Foundation did so because of the deep concerns it has regarding the Bill’s potential impact on freedom of expression, which is an indispensable prerequisite for democratic governance as it ensures accountability, responsiveness and openness, as required by section 1 of the Constitution.