DA calls on the United Nations to adopt a resolution against the expropriation of land without compensation in South Africa
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) requesting that that the Commission considers adopting a resolution calling on the South African government to honour its human rights obligations under international law by refraining from pursuing processes that infringe on the property rights of South Africans.
In our submissions we stated that, the 18th Constitution Amendment Bill which seeks to amend Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for expropriation of land without compensation, undermines the constitutional rights of citizens to own property and is at variance with Article 17 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Article 17 of the UDHR acknowledges the right to property as a moral right. The Article states that:
1. Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.