The African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights which was adopted in Nairobi circa 1981, June 27 and subsequently entered into force circa 1986, October 21. Provides and recognizes that: ‘’ the fundamental rights stem from the attributes of human beings, which justifies their national and international protection.’’
Our #Constitution has similar values embedded in the preamble, and has ameliorated and entrenched these values into the Bill of Rights: ‘’ The South African legal system is beginning to mirror the protection of rights as provided for in the Charter, thereby ensuring the protection of human rights through incorporation of the African Charter norms, into the South African legal system.’’ http://bit.ly/1ZHebaO
When we initially wrote on human rights, we did so in a manner that reported on the celebrations of the particular day, what we have observed since – there isn’t a day that goes by without the subject of human rights in our lives. We read newspapers daily on gross violations, yet we also read of stories where lives are touched. We watch and exchange legal material and texts surrounding litigation on human rights. There isn’t an avenue and or arena of life and commerce that isn’t affected by human rights.
A Good Story To Tell:
- South Africa has a South African Human Rights Commission Act, which guides the Commission on the exercise of its duties http://bit.ly/1MwLPhe
- The Ten Top South African human rights achievements http://bit.ly/1pBobpL
- Our Independent Judiciary (see @whyjudgesmatter on Twitter)
- Amazing South Africans, doing amazing things: Abahlali baseMjondolo Shack Dwellers Movement http://bit.ly/1RGIhWO
- The Office of the Public Protector (which acts as a watchdog for the citizens of the republic)
On a daily basis we head out to our respective workplaces, we stop on traffic lights and see a country that is moving, a country that is working – alive with possibility. And it is with this pioneering spirit of the people, we will together strive for the promotion, awareness and exercise of human rights. A step in the right direction, indeed.
Additional Reading:
The African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights http://bit.ly/1WTgo12
Abahlali Basemjondolo Movement SA and Another v Premier of the Province of Kwazulu-Natal and Others (CCT12/09) [2009] ZACC 31; 2010 (2) BCLR 99 (CC) (14 October 2009) http://bit.ly/1Ur8P41
