This year, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) again joins the country on Human Rights Day to remember the sacrifices and blood that was shed by those who bravely demanded equality, freedom and justice for all.
As the nation commemorates Human Rights Day in 2026, the Commission has noted public discourse on the significance of the day in the context of persistent human rights challenges. The Commission’s national research reports released in 2025 echo many of these human rights concerns.
- According to the SAHRC’s State of Human Rights Report, the most common human rights issues identified include the failure of the state and private parties to observe the rights of persons who are alleged to be in conflict with the law, inadequate provision of basic services, racism, xenophobia, local government challenges, and the impact of climate change. In addition, the enforcement of petty offences in major cities and its negative impact on the homeless, poor, and informal traders, accommodation and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities and Older Persons during elections, bullying in schools, and the impact of power cuts/load shedding on healthcare and schools, formed part of the prevalent human rights issues.
- Similarly, the latest Section 184(3) Report reveals under-utilisation of the housing budget, lack of health financial resources, lack of sufficient water and decent sanitation, backlog in the provision of child foster grants, and lack of statistics to support the Department of Basic Education’s strategic commitments.
The above-listed human rights challenges depict a state of human rights of a country that is still a long way from fully fulfilling all its responsibilities as directed by the Constitution.
The State of Human Rights presents a picture of human rights in South Africa that is largely not improving based on the statistical and other evidence presented. Human rights complaints remain largely in the economic-social sphere, a trend that the SAHRC has witnessed for many years. If left unaddressed, the state of human rights in the country is a ‘ticking time bomb’ that threatens Constitutional Democracy.
To address these concerns and many other human rights challenges reported and monitored, the Commission annually investigates over 7000 complaints, conducts hearings and releases reports with findings and recommendations. Reports released during the 2025/26 financial year, with findings and recommendations are listed below: Rights of the Rastafari Report, Right to Food Webinar, SAHRC Schools Readiness Report, Monitoring Recommendations Report, International and Regional Human Rights, Policy Brief: How to Address Systemic Sabotage of Essential Water Infrastructure, North West Scholar Transport Report, SAHRC Walter Sisulu Unrest Report December, Investigative Report on Allegations of Racial Discrimination of Racial in Hartbeespoort, North West Service Delivery Final Investigative Report, Section 184 (3) Report, Final Investigation Report Pinelands High School, and Final Investigative Report into the Conditions at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital.
The Commission reiterates the need for Government and other role players to join hands to urgently address the high unemployment, GBV, inequality, crime and poverty.
NB: SAHRC Chair, Rev Chris Nissen, will deliver a message of support at the National Human Rights Day commemoration in Kimberley.
Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission