PROTECTING RIGHTS

The Work of the South African Human Rights Commission

Section 7:  RIGHTS

1)      This Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa.  It enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom.

2)      The State must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights in the Bill of Rights.

3)      The Rights in the Bill of Rights are subject to the limitations contained or referred to in section 36, or elsewhere in the Bill.

The Bill of Rights is found in Chapter Two of the Constitution.  The rights enshrined in the Constitution are helping to shape a new South Africa and can have a dramatic impact on your life. 

To learn more about your rights under the Constitution, and some of the work the Human Rights Commission has done to protect them, click on the rights listed below.

Section 8:  Application  click here                                   

Section 9:  Equality  click here                                         

Section 10:  Human Dignity             click here

Section 11:  Life  click here                                                  

Section 12:  Freedom of Security of the Person  click here                       

Section 13:  Slavery, Servitude and Forced Labour  click here                 

Section 14:  Privacy            click here                                                     

Section 15:  Freedom of Religion, Belief and Opinion   click here

Section 16:  Freedom of Expression  click here           

Section 17:  Assembly, Demonstration, Picket and Petition  click here

Section 18:  Freedom of Association  click here

Section 19:  Political Rights  click here

Section 20:  Citizenship  click here

Section 21:  Freedom of Movement and Residence  click here

Section 22:  Freedom of Trade, Occupation and Residence  click here

Section 23:  Labour Relations  click here

Section 24:  Environment  click here

Section 25:  Property  click here

Section 26:  Housing  click here

Section 27:  Health Care, Food, Water and Social Services click here

Section 28:  Children click here

Section 29:  Education  click here

Section 30:  Language and Culture  click here

Section 31:  Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities  click here

Section 32:  Access to Information  click here

Section 33:  Just Administrative Action  click here

Section 34:  Access to Courts  click here

Section 35:  Arrested, Detained and Accused Persons  click here

Section 36:  Limitation of Rights  click here
Section 37:  States of Emergency  click here

Section 38:  Enforcement of Rights  click here

Section 39:  Interpretation of Bill of Rights  click here