Direct as well as social media threats have been issued recently against members of civil society organisations who have instituted litigations either to protect the rights of migrants or to stop the violence against them. Section 34 of the Constitution gives the right to everybody to have any dispute that can be resolved by the application of the law decided before a court of law.

It is appalling that some South Africans want to deny this constitutional right through the threat of violence and indirectly prevent the courts from doing what they were established to do. This is a sign of a deterioration of our democracy in this country. Some people do not want the rule of law to reign and the instruments designed to uphold that rule of law to function in this country.

As one of the institutions supporting constitutional democracy, the Commission is concerned by these developments. And as such, the Commission is writing to the Minister of Police requesting the South African Police Services (SAPS) to investigate these threats and bring the perpetrators to account. South Africa should not allow those with criminal minds to render our Bill of Rights meaningless.

It must be stressed that civil society organisations together with Chapter Nine institutions play a critical role as watchdogs of the South African democratic dispensation. Furthermore, civil society organisations are on the ground with the general population. They gather research to help the country by highlighting human rights challenges faced by the poor and marginalised and suggesting mechanisms to solve them. They are indispensable to our democracy. They must therefore be supported to do their work.

Ends –

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission

Wisani Baloyi – Acting Communications Coordinator Tel: 081 016 8308 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Alucia Sekgathume Tel: 082 689 2364 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.