The Trends Analysis Report (TAR) provides a general overview of the handling of complaints for the year under review. The report provides statistical information on the numbers and types of complaints received, referred and finalised by the Legal Services Unit (LSU), and the Commission’s nine Provincial Offices. The TAR informs Parliament and the public of the trends in human rights’ violations reported to the Commission through its complaints’ mechanisms, and the interventions it has undertaken. It provides insight into the types of human rights’ violations occurring in the country and has assisted the Commission to adopt a more integrated approach to executing its mandate and resolving complaints received, and to identify issues that require strategic intervention through litigation services, advocacy and research. The TAR also serves as a baseline to inform future strategic initiatives of the Commission.

Trends Analysis Report for the financial year 2019-2020, provides a glimpse into the state of human rights and the priorities for the SAHRC, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. It serves as a reminder of the focus of the Commission, in the absence of a global pandemic.  

The report highlights an increase in the number of complaints received by the Commission which is testament to the fact that the Commission’s public outreach engagement model is working, and that both awareness of and confidence in the Commission are increasing. The total number of complaints received by the Commission increased by 13% from the previous financial year.

The Commission, however, remains acutely concerned by the fact that equality related complaints remained high and at the top five human rights violations over the preceding six years. Violations of the right to equality on the grounds of race continue to be the highest reported reason of unfair discrimination by a significant margin. A significant number of these complaints are the result of race-based hate speech. Race, disability and sexual orientation represent the highest number of equality complaints. The number of complaints concerning unfair discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has consistently increased over the past three financial years, replacing ethnic or social origin as the third highest equality complaint. Overall, the SAHRC received 827 complaints based on the violation of the right to Equality for the 2019-2020 financial year.

The Commission is also concerned that socio-economic rights related complaints (which comprise health care, food, water and social security), have consistently remained in the top five human rights violations reported to the Commission. These trends reflect the continuing deep socio-economic disparities and fissures in our society. Access to health care and water remain of the top two complaints within complaints based on socio-economic rights. Common problems relating to water service provision include a lack of access to sufficient potable water, water interruptions and/or shortages, and poor water quality. The Commission received a total of 702 complaints based on socio-economic rights.

The Trends Analysis Report for the financial year 2019-2020, is available on the Commission’s website for download here:

The Commission encourages all to download, read and interact with this most essential resource.

The Commission will be hosting a media briefing on Wednesday, the 16th March 2022, at 10:00 AM, reflecting on the major highlights of the 2019-2020 Annual Trends Analysis Report and can be accessed at the following link:

https://teams.microsoft.com/registration/f8hZAU_QtUCIZkb7d6jTgg,uR591SxXF0KWngM-KgZNPA,nFAfO0NHJ0OcYuu7JPJXSQ,KkZFJyksMk6-NvcRvTvHVA,J0enpswJeUCTrDQxseAonA,dpjuGBOmsky8e2dgD73u1Q?mode=read&tenantId=0159c87f-d04f-40b5-8866-46fb77a8d382

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Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission

Gushwell Brooks – Communications Co-ordinator Tel: 082 645 8573 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.