• World Report 2012: South Africa
    Jan 22, 2012
    South Africa continues to grapple with corruption, growing social and economic inequalities, and the weakening of state institutions by partisan appointments and one-party dominance. Attacks on freedom of expression, particularly attempts by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to tamper with media independence, raised serious concerns about the government’s commitment to the protection of basic civil and political rights. In April 2011, images of the brutal, public murder by the police of Andries Tatane during a peaceful protest in Ficksburg to demand better service delivery elicited public ire regarding police brutality. Despite these concerns, institutions of democracy, among them the South African Human Rights Commission and the Public Protector, remain highly active.
  • World Report 2011: South Africa
    Jan 24, 2011
    South Africa’s pro-human rights constitution, stable government, democratic institutions, independent judiciary, and strong economy mean it has great potential to become a global human rights leader. However, government efforts to realize this potential at home have been inconsistent, and recent trends suggest possible constriction of civil and political rights. In addition, inadequate policies and poor implementation of good ones has slowed the realization of social and economic rights for many South Africans.
  • South Africa
    Jan 20, 2010
    On May 9, 2009, Jacob Zuma was inaugurated as the new president of South Africa, replacing interim president Kgalema Motlanthe, after elections that were widely viewed as free and fair. The new president faces numerous challenges in the midst of an economic recession-including widespread poverty, unemployment, high levels of violent crime, and gender inequality-which continue to undermine the country's human rights environment, especially for the most vulnerable in society.
  • South Africa
    Jan 14, 2009
    Poverty, unemployment, gender-based and xenophobic violence, and crime remain significant barriers to the enjoyment of human rights; the government's commitment to address them is inadequate.
  • South Africa
    Jan 30, 2006
    As South Africa enters its eleventh year of democracy, its challenge lies in implementing policies in line with the country’s far-reaching and progressive constitution. Areas of particular concern relate to the rights of detained and accused persons, excessive use of force by police, the rights of refugees and asylum seekers, and access to education on commercial farms.
  • South Africa
    Jan 30, 2005
    South Africa’s third general elections marked that country’s tenth year of its constitutional democracy. The institutional and policy framework have laid the foundation for the promotion and protection of human rights. However, human rights concerns remain; particularly in relation to the rights of detained and accused persons; excessive use of force by police; the rights of foreign nationals; and violence against women. Ten years since the first democratic elections, the realization of social and economic rights—such as access to primary education in rural areas—has become a pressing human rights issue. Although many human rights problems can be partly attributed to the legacy of apartheid, the current government could do more to implement policies that address and prevent abuses.