Namibia currently has the 'Prohibition of Unfair Discrimination, Harassment and Hate Speech Bill' revised in 2021 but has not been adopted further through the Office of the Ombudsman. 

The creation of a WhatsApp group by politicians and church leaders, with the purpose of promoting homo-bi-transphobia is not just a matter of expressing differing opinions. This is a form of intimidation and discrimination targeted at the LGBTQ+ community and we will not be silenced! 

We call upon members of Parliament and the Office of the Ombudsman to reconvene on the Hate Speech Bill in order for it to be operationalised. Discrimination is NOT a difference of opinion. It is intimidation and oppression. 

Inciting violence through any platform, be it online or offline, is a violation of the dignity of Namibians. 

We demand the following: 

1. Reconvene for the revised hate speech bill to be addressed and adopted in Parliament 

2. Office of the Ombudsman and the Media Ombudsman to decisively act upon the rampant hate speech currently circulating in the WhatsApp group which politicians have started 

3. Recognise 'State-Sanctioned Homophobia' as a legitimate vehicle through which Hate Speech, Discrimination and Harassment can be perpetuated 

4. Include Digital Security Protocols within the revised Hate Speech Bill - which extends to WhatsApp groups - as a basis and vehicle to address Hate Speech

5. The Ministry of Gender, Justice, Safety and Security to convene on a rapid response plan to protect the LGBTQIA+ community from any imminent harm which the community is currently facing be it: financial, psychological, physical and digital 

6. A parliamentary standing committee to address the current threats made in the WhatsApp group towards the LGBTQIA+ community and for parliamentarians, politicians and church leaders involved in the group to be held accountable as per the standing rules and procedures.

Failure to address the above demands and more to be added shall result into nationwide demonstrations as the #ShutItAllDownNamibia movement. Any demonstrations to be held against the LGBTIQAI+ community will result in a counter demonstration by the #ShutItAllDownNamibia movement! 

#ShutItAllDownNamibia #NOHATEINMYSTATE #EndStateSanctionedHomophobia