Is the Government doing enough to ensure that Human Rights are protected Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.
What the Government is doing through the SAHRC regarding Human Rights
The Government is doing enough to ensure that Human Rights are protected in South Africa through the following:
- Raise awareness and develop a culture of human rights in South Africa
- Educate and train South Africans about human rights.
- Investigate and address human rights violations and find ways of correcting them.
- Monitor laws written at all levels of government (local, provincial and national) to make sure human rights are observed.
What are the Bill of Rights in South Africa?
Below is a list of more than 10 Bill of Rights and responsibilities:
| Equality | You cannot be discriminated against. But affirmative action and fair discrimination are allowed. |
| Human dignity | Your dignity must be respected and protected. |
| Life | You have the right to life. |
| Freedom and security of the person | You cannot be detained without trial, tortured or punished cruelly. You are free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources. |
| Slavery, servitude and forced labour | Slavery, servitude and forced labour are not allowed. |
| Privacy | You cannot be searched or have your home or possessions searched, without the proper procedures being followed by the police. |
| Freedom of religion, belief and opinion | You can believe and think whatever you want and can follow the religion of your choice. |
| Freedom of expression | You have the freedom to say, write or print (including the press) whatever you want. This right, however, must not violate anyone else’s right or break the law. |
| Assembly, demonstration, picket and petition | You can hold a demonstration, picket and present a petition. But you must do this peacefully and unarmed. |
| Freedom of association | You can associate with whomever you want to. |
| Political rights | You can support the political party of your choice. If you are a citizen, and at least 18 years old, you can vote. |
| Citizenship | Your citizenship cannot be taken away from you. |
| Freedom of movement and residence | You can go and live anywhere in South Africa. |
| Freedom of trade, occupation and profession | You can do whatever work you choose. |
| Labour relations | You may join trade unions and go on strike. |
| Environment | You have the right to a healthy environment. |
| Property | Your property can only be taken away from you if the proper rules are followed. |
| Housing | You have the right to have access to adequate housing. |
| Health care, food, water and social security | You have the right to have access to food and water; health care and social security. |
| Children | All children have the right to parental care, shelter and food. Children are not to be neglected, abused or forced to work. |
| Education | You have the right to basic education, including adult basic education and to further education. |
| Language and culture | You can use the language you want to and follow the culture that you choose. |
| Cultural, religious and linguistic communities | Communities can enjoy their own culture; practice their religion, and use their language. |
| Access to information | You have the right to any information. |
| Just administrative action | You have the right to administrative action that’s lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair. |
| Access to courts | You can have a legal problem decided by a court or a similar structure. |
| Arrested, detained and accused persons | These rights protect people arrested, imprisoned or accused of a crime. |