The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) expresses its concerns regarding the newly introduced hate speech legislation in New South Wales. While AFIC supports initiatives to curb hate speech, it is imperative that the legislation includes protections based on religion, alongside race, to ensure comprehensive protection for all communities, including Muslims.
Dr. Rateb Jneid, President of AFIC, stressed the urgency of expanding the law’s scope. “The current legislation overlooks the significant rise in Islamophobia, evidenced by recent violent attacks against Muslim women in Victoria. By not explicitly protecting religious groups, the law fails to shield Muslims and other faith-based communities from hate crimes,” said Dr. Jneid.
AFIC is concerned with the rapid passage of the legislation without substantial consultation with affected communities, particularly at a time when Islamophobic incidents are escalating. This approach may lead to the implementation of measures that do not fully address the breadth of hate speech impacting various groups.
Dr. Jneid further added, “Effective hate speech legislation must recognise the intersection of race and religion, especially for communities like Muslims who are often targeted based on ethno-religious identities. We urge the NSW government to revise the legislation to include religion as a basis for protection and to engage in meaningful consultations with all communities at risk.”
AFIC calls on the NSW Parliament to acknowledge the complexities of identity-based hate and amend the legislation accordingly, ensuring no community is left vulnerable.
AFIC, established in 1964, stands as the Peak Muslim Organisation in Australia, with 170 members including 9 State and Territory Councils. It has a rich history of pioneering numerous community services and actively advocating for the rights and representation of the Muslim community.
Authorised:
Dr Rateb Jneid, President