YOU HAVE THE POWER YOU HAVE THE POWER YOU HAVE THE POWER
YOU HAVE THE POWER YOU HAVE THE POWER YOU HAVE THE POWER
This year we have the opportunity to collectively shape the future of South Africa. To demand a reality where justice and equality are protected, and the right to live free from violence and have access to safe, sufficient and reliable water is realised for every person, no matter who they are, or where they live.
THE HUMAN RIGHTS MANIFESTO
Ahead of the 2024 South African general elections, Amnesty International South Africa presents 10 issues crucial for political parties and candidates to commit to, to ensure the rights of all those who live in South Africa are upheld. Access the manifesto from the button below:
NB: Amnesty International is non-partisan and does not endorse any political party or candidate. Our aim is to inspire you to make informed decisions based on the state of human rights in South Africa, and to vote with purpose.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The state of human rights in South Africa: 30 years later
01
VOTE TO ENSURE SEXUAL AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IS TACKLED
Despite a progressive legal landscape, rates of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) remain staggeringly high. Gendered power inequality, pervasive harmful patriarchal social norms, attitudes and beliefs, and a broken criminal justice system are contributing factors that drive and enable SGBV. According to the latest annual crime
statistics covering April 2022 to March 2023, sexual offences increased by 1.5% to 53,498 reported cases and rape increased by 2.5% to 42,780 reported cases.
We continue to see failures by the SAPS in ensuring quality investigations. Everyone has the right to safety, security, dignity, and bodily integrity.
In the 2022/23 financial year:
– 4,169 women were murdered. This is equivalent to 11 women murdered every day.
– 5,789 attempted murders of women. This is just over 15 women a day.
– 58,488 women were assaulted with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. This is just over 160 a day.
02
Vote to protect the right to life for all, including human rights defenders
The right to life is a supreme right from which all other rights flow, and a right from which no derogation is allowed. Yet, impunity for this violation continues. In the 2022/2023 financial year, there were 27,494 reported murders in the country, which is 75 people murdered a day on average. The number of murders grew by 9.2% compared to the previous year. The lives of human rights defenders (HRDs) are uniquely at risk for the work that they do. The police and state have yet to provide adequate protection and ensure the threats against, and killings of, HRDs are brought to an end and those responsible are held accountable. South Africa does not have specific domestic legislation or public policy for the protection of HRDs at risk, and the authorities have not created a specific registry to keep track of the number of threats and attacks against HRDs stemming from their work. Everyone has the right to life.
03
Vote to ensure the right to water for all
Over
3 million people do not have access to basic water supply service in South
Africa and 5.3 million households do not have access to safe and reliable
drinking water. The right to water is
threatened by mismanagement, incompetence, and corruption; high and increasing
debt in the sector as a result of failure to pay for services; vandalism and
sabotage of water infrastructure; and climate variability and change. The 2023
Blue Drop report revealed that there has been a decline in access to quality
and safe drinking water. Tests carried out by municipalities found that 46%
achieved poor or bad microbiological water quality compliance. Everyone has the
right to access water.
04
Vote to make quality education a reality for all
While progress has been made regarding access to education since the end of apartheid, significant challenges remain. The 2023 report from the 2030 Reading Panel found that 82% of Grade 4 learners are unable to read for meaning in any of the official languages. The Department of Basic Education’s 2023 Education Facilities Management report indicates that 3,932 schools still used pit toilets. While progress is being made, this is too slow, and goalposts are continuously shifted. Everyone has the right to quality basic education.
MAKE YOUR PLEDGE MARK VOICE HEARD
BE INFORMED
VOTER RESOURCES
Activist ToolKit
As part of the campaign, we have designed an activist guidebook to empower you with the knowledge and tools you seek to engage meaningfully in the national election.
Political Party Advert Repository
The Political Advert Repository (PAdRe or Padre) is an IEC initiative, supported by Media Monitoring Africa (MMA). Padre allows voters to verify political mainstream and social media adverts to avoid misinformation ahead of the national elections. The initiative is in line with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ Guidelines On Access To Information And Elections In Africa.
My Candidate Tool
Open Cities Lab and OpenUp have collaborated on a tool that allows voters to search for candidates contesting in their wards. Enter your address below to get started.
