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.