NPOs urge parliament to act on bill
Blind SA and SECTION27 are concerned by the National Assembly’s postponement of its deliberation and, ultimately, its vote on the Copyright Amendment Bill.
Parliament’s obligation to remedy the unconstitutional Copyright Act 98 of 1978 by September 2024, as ordered by the Constitutional Court last September, may not be fulfilled given the sixth administration of the government’s term ending in May 2024, according to Blind SA.
“At this rate, it is also uncertain whether the seventh administration’s new political configuration, with its newly elected members of Parliament, will prioritise the finalisation of the bill and implement its changes in time to enable compliance with the court order,” stated Blind SA.
In its judgment, the Constitutional Court confirmed that the Copyright Act has denied blind people their basic rights for far too long, and prolonging this violation is further discrimination.
Therefore, Blind SA and Section27 urge Parliament to reschedule its consideration of the Copyright Amendment Bill as soon as possible and give effect to the necessary amendments.
This is so that the exceptions and limitations required by blind persons to ensure access to reading materials are implemented in accordance with the Constitutional Court judgement.
Blind SA and Section27 have said they will take whatever steps necessary to ensure the government’s compliance with the Constitutional Court order of September 21, 2022.
For more information, contact Jace Nair on ceo@blindsa.org.za or 060 967 0258. Alternatively, email Demichelle Petherbridge at Petherbridge@section27.org.za
