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State of SA’s human rights unsatisfactory: HRC

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After 20 years of democracy, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says it is not satisfied with the state of human rights in the country.

In a Human Rights Day statement, the Commission says the delivery of services has been a major stumbling block to ensure basic human rights for all.

According to their studies, 36% of South Africans do not have access to adequate water and sanitation.

SAHRC chief executive, Kayum Ahmed says a lack of understanding and communication between government departments about grassroots requirements has resulted in compromised levels of human rights.

“The Government needs to recognise and acknowledge that the provision of water and sanitation is a basic human right that needs to be implemented and upheld by the state. We also have come to realise that there also is a lack of coordination at the highest levels of government and at the provincial and local level in terms of the coordination of these services,” says Ahmed.

He says there is the Department of Human Settlements and the Department of Water Affairs which at times do not necessarily talk to each other.
“Those communication challenges have manifested in a lack of coordination at the local level where services need to be delivered,” he says.

Ahmed adds that while South Africans can demand rights it is also important to uphold and respect these rights in relation to fellow citizens.

“An active citizenry is absolutely critical and fundamental to a successful democracy. So as the South African Human Rights Commission, we encourage people to demand their rights from Government,” he says.

Ahmed says citizens also have the responsibility to uphold their rights with respect to fellow citizens.

“The right to equality and the right for people to have same sex marriages should be upheld as well,” he adds.

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