Top five complaints about human rights in SA

HUMAN rights complaints were mainly connected to a lack of “equality” followed by unfair labour practices and inadequate access to health care, water, food, and social security.

The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) earlier this week revealed its data for complaints of violations between 2015 and 2016. It received 9 238 complaints; with Gauteng recording the highest (1 110), followed by the Western Cape (670) and KwaZulu-Natal (581).

In its Annual Trends Analysis Report, the commission outlines statistics and data on violations received from all nine provincial offices.

“The right to equality remains the right most frequently litigated by the Commission in the Equality Courts. Most of these cases involve the use of the “k-word” and other derogatory comments with racial undertones, such as use of the terms ‘baboon’ or ‘monkey’,” the SAHRC said.

Discrimination based on disability and ethnic origin account for the largest numbers of equality-related complaints, but racial issues and discrimination remain highest.

At least 31 of 54 matters litigated by the provincial offices related to the right to equality and hate speech.

Labour-related violations make up the second-highest received, followed by equality. The report indicates that many of these cases relate to unfair dismissals and other unfair labour practices.

Violations of Section 27 rights, which include healthcare, food, water, and social security, is ranked third-highest. “This increase is tied to the insufficient or lack of service delivery experienced by innumerable communities in South Africa,” the report said. The top five most violated include: Equality (749 complaints) Unfair labour practices (440) Ongoing lack of access to health care, water, food, and social security (428)

Right to just administrative action (379)

Rights in relations to arrest and detention (409).