South African Human Rights Commission slams human rights in the country

According to the commission, many groups, including women, children, prisoners, 

indigenous persons, non-nationals and protesters are suffering. 


The South African Human Rights Commission had some tough words for the country on 

Monday. 

They say that the country's commitment to human rights was a concern. According to 

the commission, many groups, including women, children, prisoners, indigenous 

persons, non-nationals and protesters are suffering. 

"South Africa's commitment to upholding its obligations under international law is 

dubious," the commission said. 

"Just last year, the South African government overrode a decision Of a High Court, as well 

as a request of Justice Cuno Tarfussor, a judge of the International Criminal Court, to 

arrest Sudanese President, Omar Al-Bashir. 

"These occurrences are worrying for a human rights institution seeking to promote the 

domestic harmonization Of international laws and standards in South Africa." 

Of particular concern for the commision was high levels Of violence against women and 

LGBTI persons, urging the government to "adopt an integrated plan to address gender 

based violence in all its manifestations" 

In a statement sent to the United Nations Human Rights Commission and the media, the 

commission noted that racism was widespread across the country and said that it was 

very concerned about a high level of xenophobic attitudes towards non-nationals, 

migrants and asylum seekers. The commission said that black women living in poverty 

are particularly affected by these factors. 

The rights Of indigenous persons, such as the Khoisan, are also an issue. The statement 

said: "Indigenous persons, such as the Khoisan, have been historically under-represented 

in South Africa's Parliament." 

Also on the list is the treatment of South Africa's prisoners. CNN recently had an inside 

look at one of South Africa's most notorious prisons(21, Pollsmoor, and revealed 

shocking conditions of overcrowding which resulted in poor hygiene. But the commission 

was equally concerned about "instances Of torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading 

treatment", as well as "issues regarding the treatment of persons deprived of their 

liberty". It added: "The SAHRC also notes with concern the high numbers Of investigated 

or unknown deaths which occur at the hands of law enforcement authorities."

Racism is not a new concept to South Africa. Although this author almost supposes and makes it out to be a new subject and issue in South Africa, it has in fact severely affected South Africa since its initiation. Its interesting to note this article is published by a South African News Agency as there seems to be a bias towards the South African population and system. The author quite readily criticizes the system and behavior of the majority. However as a South African Agency publishing on issue in their own country they may in fact even only publish part of the statistics to make it look better or worse, according to their goal. As a South African citizen, its easy to have a bias whenever anyone criticizes against the South African people and knowing the system and country well one can testify to some of the article's claims to be true. This news goes out to the population of South Africa to make them aware of the way others in their country are being treated and how the world sees their negative reaction to outsiders. This article does articulate well the some of the major issues in current day South Africa and makes the local population as well as the rest of the world aware of areas that need attention and alteration.

Haden, Alexis. "South African Human Rights Commission Slams Human Rights in the Country." The South African.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 8 Mar. 2016.