Speeches

Address by the Hon AC Nel, MP, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, at the Launch of the South African Human Rights Commission’s Four Human Rights Reports - Virtual, 9 September 2025

Honourable Chairperson and Commissioners of the South African Human Rights Commission, Members of Parliament, fellow representatives from other Chapter 9 institutions, colleagues in civil society, and distinguished guests — good afternoon.

Please accept my apologies for not being able to join you in person. I am currently engaged, together with the Minister of Police, in urgent stakeholder meetings in Mitchells Plain and Mfuleni, which is also my constituency.

The Importance of the SAHRC

The launch of these four reports once again affirms the essential role of the South African Human Rights Commission in safeguarding the constitutional promise of dignity, equality, and freedom for all.

Through its protection mandate, the Commission intervenes in human rights violations, ensuring accountability. Through its monitoring mandate, it assesses state compliance and informs policy reform. And through its advocacy mandate, it builds awareness and fosters a culture of human rights.

In fulfilling these mandates, the Commission is not just a watchdog, but a catalyst for transformation — ensuring that human rights move from aspiration to reality.

When it comes to strengthening our constitutional democracy, we are moving towards the creation of a single judiciary. We are committed to establishing a judicial-led court administration model to ensure full judicial independence and the transformative role of the judiciary in our constitutional democracy.

Commending the Reports

I commend the Commission for producing four rigorous reports on the state of human rights in South Africa during the 2024/25 financial year.

• The International and Regional Human Rights Report (IRHRR)
• The Section 184(3) Report
• The Report on the State of Human Rights in South Africa
• The Recommendations Monitoring Report

These are not mere documents; they are mirrors reflecting our progress and shortcomings, instruments of accountability, and calls to action.

On International and Regional Engagement

The IRHRR affirms South Africa’s active participation in global human rights mechanisms. Our engagements with treaty bodies, and our co-sponsorship of landmark resolutions on intersex rights, anti-racism education, and good governance, show our resolve to shape global discourse.

The Commission’s “A-status” re-accreditation by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions is a testament to its independence and credibility. Government reaffirms its support for that independence.

On Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability

The Section 184(3) Report highlights progress in advancing socio-economic rights since 1994, but also reveals persistent challenges — from healthcare shortcomings to gaps in social support systems.

We acknowledge, with concern, the failure of some departments to provide usable data. This is unacceptable. Transparency is not optional; it is a constitutional duty. Minister Kubayi and I will raise this matter with colleagues at Cabinet level.

We commit to improving data systems, strengthening coordination, and ensuring that future reports reflect measurable progress.

Monitoring Implementation of Recommendations

The Monitoring of Recommendations Report is the first of its kind and a milestone in holding government accountable. Focusing on elections, school infrastructure, and healthcare waiting times, it reveals both progress and systemic weaknesses.

We support the Commission’s call to repeat this monitoring in 2027/28 to ensure continuity and accountability.

On the State of Human Rights

The State of Human Rights Report is sobering.

• It reminds us that even alleged offenders have constitutionally protected rights. Justice must never be confused with vengeance.
• It raises concerns over basic service delivery — issues we will elevate with relevant departments and municipalities.
• It highlights racism as the most reported form of discrimination. Despite our constitutional commitment to equality, racism and hate speech persist. We must act decisively to dismantle these attitudes.
• It warns of rising xenophobia, especially during election cycles. Non-nationals cannot be scapegoats for systemic failures. We condemn these acts unequivocally.

We will intensify efforts through the National Action Plan against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerances.

The report also raises other concerns — climate change, petty offence criminalisation, exclusion of persons with disabilities and older persons from electoral processes, and school bullying. These matters will be taken forward with relevant departments and stakeholders.

Finally, the report shows how rural voices remain underrepresented, with only 0.4% of complaints coming from those areas. Justice cannot be determined by geography. We will support the Commission in expanding its reach.

The Way Forward

These reports do not weaken our democracy; they strengthen it. They challenge us to do better and unite us in building a South Africa where every person can live with dignity.

I want to give you the assurance that we, Minister Kubayi and I, will take the necessary steps to have these reports tabled in Cabinet.

As government, we accept the reports’ findings with determination. We will act, and we will report back — not in words, but in measurable outcomes.

Together, let us make human rights not only a constitutional promise, but a lived reality for all.

I thank you.