Human Rights Watch Report Questions SA's Commitment to Human Rights & Constitution

Human Rights Watch report a wake-up call for South Africa

The international organisation's report has questioned South Africa's commitment to constitutional rights and equality.

31 Jan 2013 09:22 | Louise Redvers | Mail & Guardian

In its 2013 World Report, the New York-based lobby group also raises concerns about the levels of police brutality and the government's perceived failure to fulfill basic and economic social rights.

Cameron Jacobs, South Africa Director at Human Rights Watch, told the Mail & Guardian that "2012 signified a watershed and wake-up call for South Africa because of events that led to "serious challenges to human rights and the constitution".

He said the Marikana tragedy, the farmworkers' strikes in De Doorns and other violent service delivery protests had put the South African Police Service (SAPS) under the spotlight and there were concerns about the use of "excessive force".

"We are waiting on the final report from Farlam commission of inquiry into what happened at Marikana, to see if it finds the force used was justified in the circumstances," he said. "If it was not found to be justified, then it is important that the rule of law takes effect."

But Jacobs said police behaviour was only part of the story.

SQSwans: Apartheid preferred small population of self sufficient personally responsible K-Africans; Mine Owners prefer large population of desperate poverty stricken r-Africans

Letter to Anglo American CEO: Cynthia Carroll: RE: M&G: Carroll: Mine violence caused by legacy of apartheid, MineWeb: The four truths SA Mining cannot avoid, and Grist: Cyanide Cynthia, worlds biggest Scrooge

In a Post Peak NNR World; is (A) Bullshit-the-Public Relations ‘Mining is the Heart of SA’s Economy’; or (B) Brutal Honesty: ‘Ecological Reality is the foundation of Economic Reality: Unsustainable Mining has caused Global NNR Scarcity, which will cause Crisis of Conflict Civilisation Collapse by 2050’, a company’s most valuable asset?

Andrea Muhrrteyn | SQSwans | 05 December 2012

Question 1: Is it not true that Apartheid preferred a small population of self sufficient personally responsible K-Africans; whereas it was (and is) International Mine Owners who prefer a large population of desperate poverty stricken r-Africans?

Question 2: Is Carroll/Anglo-American reference to ‘Law and Order’ referring to (a) ‘We the Humpty Dumpty Corporations Law and Order’; or (b) Laws of Nature: Pay the Eco-Footprint Price for Law and Order?

Question 3: If Carroll/AA is referring to Eco-footprint Law and Order: Do Carroll and Anglo American have -- Consumption and procreation footprint – Eco-footprint Law and Order Credibility?

Question 4: In a Post Peak NNR World; is (A) Bullshit-the-Public Relations ‘Mining is the Heart of SA’s Economy’; or (B) Brutal Honesty: ‘Ecological Reality is the foundation of Economic Reality: Unsustainable Mining has caused Global NNR Scarcity, which will cause Crisis of Conflict Civilisation Collapse by 2050’, a company’s most valuable asset?

Question 5: Should Corporate CEO’s who Refuse to Confront the Ecological Scarcity Foundation for Economic Reality, be labelled as Resource Terrorists threats to National Security?