Human rights, access to justice in intensive care
ALEXANDRA – Have your say at a rights, access to justice dialogue
The promotion of human rights and access to justice for particularly the poor maybe at a precipice and in need for salvation.
This in country lauded for a constitution said to be incomparable for its rights in a country whose history was condemned globally for its inhumanity until the democratic transition of 1994.
In a statement titled Access to justice at a tipping point in South Africa, Moving into a space of action, Activate, a network of young leaders will address this vexing challenge in a six-part series of dialogues. The initiative is premised on the prohibitive costs to the poor in their quest for justice. The network said the cost of securing legal representation and filing of court papers can be expensive for many Africans, particularly disadvantaged groups. As a result, many people are unable to, or are reluctant to seek justice to remedy any wrong done to them.
This extends to many African countries, where the justice system is designed with inadvertent barriers to disadvantaged groups or persons seeking justice for violated human rights. With the universal level of poverty in the region, high costs of securing legal representation discourages many from using the formal justice system. The situation can be very dicey for the vulnerable and marginalised including those in the rural areas.
In the wake of violent incidents against women, particularly the rape and murder of 19-year-old UCT student Uyinene Mrwetyana and weeks of violent xenophobia incidents in Johannesburg, the existence of justice is put on the spotlight. “We are left asking whether Justice exists and whether it plays a role in addressing these gruesome violation of human rights.” Also, reference is made to the recent case of transgender Jade September who was treated unlawfully by officials in the Department of Correctional Services who ought to uphold the law. “Judge Chantal Fortuin’s ruling protecting September’s dignity and human rights, may be the positive tipping point and action that South Africa needs.” In it, the judge ruled the officials’ action as unfair discrimination which warranted their training on sensitivity.
The network’s will use its interconnection of change drivers countrywide to determine with young people, civil society, community members and the media, solutions to the structural difficulties for victims in accessing justice.
Details: Kokheli Mankayi 078 375 4707 nkokheli@activateleadership.co.za
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