Section 10 states that everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected. Section 29 states that everyone has the right to a basic education, including adult basic education and to further education, which the state, through reasonable measures, must make progressively available and accessible. The commission received 667 cases in the past financial year ending in March 2023. Men accounted for 67.6% of the complaints received by the office in East London. A total of 35.2% complaints cited section 27 violations and 35.2% section 10 and 29.5% section 29. Of the total number, 54 were resolved and 257 had already been finalised. This was revealed by provincial manager Dr Eileen Carter in a wideranging interview with the Dispatch this week. Carter has been with the provincial office for two years. The commission over the past two years conducted inquiries into malnutrition, road infrastructure and school uniforms, and in the reports included recommendations to address the complaints. A team of 11 people travelled 40,000km to meet stakeholders to promote, protect and monitor the rights of citizens. "It's not even a drop in the ocean," Carter said. Carter said the commission was looking at innovative new ways to address human rights abuses. "We Eastern Cape shouldn't be the last when it comes to telecommunications, digital literacy, and how we are evolving in 4IR. We should be the first. "If we address those potential human rights issues, the rest maybe resolved. That is why we are trying to get technology to assist us." During the Enyobeni tavern tragedy where 21 children died in June 2022, the commission used a drone to record how many recreational facilities there were in the area. "We can look at the breadandbutter issues, but how do we think outside the box? "An EMS vehicle is outside time; a child is delivered on a stoep somewhere or there are complications during birth because EMS can't get there because of bad weather. "Is the health department responsible for roads? For connectivity issues? "These are questions we have to ask. We need to look for where we can make connections so that together we can resolve these issues." Carter said dealing with pleas from the marginalised about malnutrition, sharing water with animals and pit latrines in schools was painful for her, and something that needed urgent intervention. "Children going hungry is not only a human rights issue it's a moral issue. "Sharing water with animals is not only a violation of human rights, it's a human dignity issue. "When you read these complaints it's very emotional. "You measure morality against human rights. "Why are we today still speaking about pit toilets and corporal punishment? "It's tough because we come across tragic stuff "We everyone in a province known as the 'home of legends', owe it to those legends to become legends ourselves by following in their footsteps." Though some of the complaints were not about human rights violations, Carter said people were free to ask the commission for legal advice. "Issues that are not within our ambit we refer to the right person. We remain a resource for our community. "I'm not the person that's going to fix your water, but I can do my part to ensure we take steps to redress human rights violations." The Dispatch has reported on disgruntled communities who are choosing not to vote, but Carter said: "It matters that you claim and exercise that right and vote."

Source: Daily Dispatch