South Africa has little cause for celebration on International Human Rights Day

10 December 2015

During 2015 there have been no real noteworthy improvements pertaining to human rights in South Africa as concluded by AfriForum’s Human Rights Index, which has been tracing the situation regarding the fulfilment of human rights in South Africa, as envisaged in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, since 2012. 

According to a researcher at AfriForum, Johan Nortjé, misusing of state funds, a deteriorating basic education system, campus violence and transformation of state intuitions at the cost of effective administration, are just some of the issues hindering the country’s growth.

Besides Government’s inability to address human rights domestically, there is also a noticeable shift in South Africa’s foreign affairs on the subject of human rights during the last couple of years. Some of these examples include the ANC’s alignment in a more anti-Western position, Government’s consideration to withdraw from the International Criminal Court as well as a review of the country’s foreign policy. 

AfriForum’s Human Rights Index also highlighted some of the rights that were not effectively protected during 2015, namely language and culture, freedom and security of the person and the right to life.

A fact sheet illustrates that the following are great cause for concern:

- The right to life: Over the period 2012/2013 to 2014/2015, there has been an increase of 10% of reported murdered incidents. The 2015 Global Peace Index Score reported that South Africa achieved a score of 136 out of 162, the worst amongst neighbouring states.

- Language and culture: After more than 20 years of ANC rule, name changes of towns, efforts to change the language policy of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction at tertiary institutions by the Minister of Higher Education and campus violence infringed on language and cultural rights during 2015.

AfriForum will in 2016 continue to lobby for minority rights, advocate the protection of the rule of law, promote property rights and engage in civil mobilisation.

A detailed report will be published in March 2016. 

Issued by Johan Nortje, Researcher, AfriForum, 10 December 2015