Thursday, 28 February 2013
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Human Rights Watch World Report 2013 - SOUTH AFRICA
The killing of 34 miners at the Lonmin Platinum Mine in Marikana, North West Province, on August 16, 2012, shocked South Africans and highlighted increasing concerns over police brutality and underlying grievances over the government’s failure to fulfill basic economic and social rights.
Despite South Africa’s strong constitutional protections for human rights and its relative success at providing basic services, the government is struggling to meet public demands for better realization of economic and social rights. In addition, financial mismanagement, corruption, and concerns about the capacity of leadership and administration—especially at the local government level have contributed to further delaying the progressive realization of economic and social rights.
Concerns that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) is increasingly encroaching on civil and political rights are exemplified by the Protection of State Information Bill which the National Assembly passed in 2011, but has not yet become law. Debates over its constitutionality regarding its impact on freedom of expression continued in 2012. At this writing, the Traditional Courts Bill, which parliament was considering, may have negative implications for vulnerable groups such as women, children, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons to access justice and other rights.
Despite South Africa’s strong constitutional protections for human rights and its relative success at providing basic services, the government is struggling to meet public demands for better realization of economic and social rights. In addition, financial mismanagement, corruption, and concerns about the capacity of leadership and administration—especially at the local government level have contributed to further delaying the progressive realization of economic and social rights.
Concerns that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) is increasingly encroaching on civil and political rights are exemplified by the Protection of State Information Bill which the National Assembly passed in 2011, but has not yet become law. Debates over its constitutionality regarding its impact on freedom of expression continued in 2012. At this writing, the Traditional Courts Bill, which parliament was considering, may have negative implications for vulnerable groups such as women, children, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons to access justice and other rights.