The state must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights in the bill of rights. Find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. It enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. Pdf south african constitutional law in context researchgate. This bill of rights is a cornerstone of democracy in south africa. How the bill of rights works the bill of rights has to be followed by government, all the people. Section 1 of the constitution says that south africa is one sovereign, democratic state founded on values of human dignity, equality, human rights and freedoms. The bill of rights also states when rights may be limited.
The constitution should not in any way preempt proper debate. Human rights commission sahrc in terms of section 184 of the constitution. The south african constitution the south african constitution describes the social values of the country, and sets out the structures of government, what powers and authority a government has, and what rights citizens have. The bill of rights is a cornerstone of democracy in south africa and protects. The south africa constitution english bibliographies. All citizens can leave the country and come back again at any time. Bill of rights chapter 2 of the constitution of the republic of south africa the bill of rights sets out the fundamental rights of all south africans, including the right to dignity and the right to equality. A bill of rights for a new south africa preliminary revised text. The bill of rights constitutional court of south africa.
Chapter 3 of the interim constitution introduced legally protected fundamental rights to south africa for the first time. Noones south african citizenship can ever be taken away from them. South africa s constitution is celebrated globally for its visionary bill of rights. Pdf section 392 of the constitution of the republic of south africa, 1996 directs that when any legislation is interpreted, the result must be a. Today the fundamental rights of south africans are enshrined in our constitution under the bill of rights. People have the right to get all information the government and anyone else has, if they need that information to protect their rights.
The constitution is the highest or supreme law of south africa. This day is a commemoration of the 1960 sharpeville massacre and how far the nation has come in the protection of fundamental human rights. Its among a handful of countries which integrate economic, social and cultural rights alongside traditional. On 21 march, south africa celebrates human rights day. Understanding the spirit, purport and objects of south africas bill. This bibliography was generated on cite this for me on sunday, may 7, 2017. The founding provisions of the constitution set out the principles and guarantees of democracy in south africa. Bill of rights chapter 2 of the constitution of the. These are the sources and citations used to research the south africa constitution. The bill of rights is included in the constitution to make it part of the highest law, and to make it difficult to change or take away the rights of the people.
But it doesnt feel that way as south africa marks human rights day and the 20th anniversary of its constitution its a good time to reflect on the. Because it is part of the law, it can be used in court to protect your rights. It enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human. Constitution of the republic of south africa act, ss. The bill of rights the human rights of all south african citizens are protected by the bill of rights contained in chapter the human rights of all south african citizens are protected by the bill of rights contained in chapter two of the constitution. Anyone can go or live anywhere they want in south africa. Constitution of the republic of south africa act 108 of 1996.