On Tuesday the first window of opportunity for public comments on the controversial Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill closes. On Monday PEN SA, which represents writers, editors and translators, expressed deep concern at the dangers posed by the bill which, in its current form, threatens and criminalises freedom of expression. Also, the fractured political climate in which the hate speech provisions were tagged onto the bill, released in in October last year, has raised concerns that it can be used to silence and jail government critics. By MARIANNE THAMM.