Seychelles’ National Assembly has approved an amendment to the Penal Code 2025 that removes political affiliation from the list of protected characteristics under hate speech laws.
The amendment was proposed by Vice-President Sebastien Pillay and debated in the Assembly on Thursday, 18 December 2025.
Under the change, hate speech directed at people because of their political affiliation will no longer be treated as an aggravating offence. Other protected characteristics, including race, gender, sexual orientation, disability and religion, remain unchanged.
Presenting the amendment, Mr Pillay said the original provision had raised concerns about potential misuse. He told lawmakers that politicians could have relied on the law to “silence and censor critics”.
He said political activists had previously been targeted under the former wording, with cases brought before the courts.
“In a healthy democracy, political critique is normal,” Mr Pillay said. “Those who choose to enter politics should be able to accept public scrutiny.”
The Vice-President added that the amendment formed part of President Patrick Herminie’s first 100-day commitments, as outlined in his party’s manifesto.
During the debate, members of the ruling United Seychelles party supported the amendment, echoing the arguments put forward by the Vice-President.
The opposition, Linyon Demokratik Seselwa, opposed the change. The Leader of the Opposition said all forms of hate speech even towards politicians should remain criminalised and argued that decisions on whether conduct amounts to an offence should be left to the Attorney General under the Penal Code.
At the end of the debate, 16 members from United Seychelles voted in favour of the amendment, while 13 members from Linyon Demokratik Seselwa voted against it.