Question 8
"THERE IS NO NEED FOR FURTHER CIVIL RIGHTS IN SOUTH AFRICA." We Disagree.
In the 1990s Nelson Mandela’s involvement had a huge contribution to the removal of racial segregation in South Africa. In the present day we do not see any racial discrimination of the native South African’s, but however due to a report conducted by the HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH organisation, South Africa continues to face several other civil rights issues, and therefore we do not agree with the statement that there is no need for further civil rights action in South Africa.
"THERE IS NO NEED FOR FURTHER CIVIL RIGHTS IN SOUTH AFRICA." We Disagree.
In the 1990s Nelson Mandela’s involvement had a huge contribution to the removal of racial segregation in South Africa. In the present day we do not see any racial discrimination of the native South African’s, but however due to a report conducted by the HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH organisation, South Africa continues to face several other civil rights issues, and therefore we do not agree with the statement that there is no need for further civil rights action in South Africa.
Article is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: PRIMARY SOURCE - http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/ |
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Issues
In other countries such as the United States and Australia we have the right to enjoy a freedom of expression. If there is something we strongly disagree against, we can protest against it, but in South Africa the freedom of expression of the people is fairly limited.
The government proposed a law in 2011 named the Protection of Information Bill. According to the bill any threat to national security could result in a prison sentence of 15 to 20 years. This definition of a “threat to national security” is fairly vague, but the bill targets the media and whistleblowers which would silence any freedom of expression in fear of the law.
RIGHTS OF WORKERS Issues
In various parts of the economy, lower class workers continue to face many challenges, such as farmworkers. The lack of adequate legislation leaves the lower class workers vulnerable and defenseless to more powerful employees, which could exploit them to unfair wages and hours of work. According to Human Rights Research in the Western Cape, which has the largest number of farmers in South Africa, companies where not respecting the various human rights. These include
South Africa has a good amount of national wealth, good health infrastructure and strong legal framework, but despite this, the deaths of babies occurring under the age of 1 has increased dramatically in the last decade. Also, 4500 Women Die each year in South Africa due to pregnancy related causes.
The government has failed to provide equality between the private and public health sectors, and some health services are not easily accessible to people. There is also a high disease burden, such as HIV/AIDS.
Women and girls continue to live with insecurity regarding certain issues such as violence against women and sexual abuse. Several studies indicate the criminal justice system is not adequate enough to investigate and punish sexual violence. This makes it harder to give women the rights they deserve, unless changes are made to the legislation.
REFUGEE RIGHTS Issues
Australia currently faces the problem with asylum seekers, and South Africa faces the same problem. IN 2011, South Africa forcibly returned Zimbawean asylum seekers as they did not have the correct “travel documents.” According to the United Nations, you do not require any documents to seek asylum in a country. This is even more concerning as most of the asylum seekers would be classified as legitimate refugees that should be allowed entry. In the same year, South Africa closed a refugee reception office in Johannesburg, further increasing the problem.
The lack of a realization that asylum seekers are in need of being allowed access to South Africa with more ease that it currently is, is a human rights issue as all humans should be allowed the rights as detailed in the Human Rights Charter, such as clean water and education. Currently this is not the case for the asylum seekers.
JUDGEMENT
As shown by the various points above, We highly disagree with the statement “There is no need for further civil rights action in South Africa.” South Africa faces Woman’s rights, workers’ rights, refugees rights and freedom of expression issues, and some more as well. Although these problems are on a much smaller scale than previous civil rights issues such as the Apartheid, all humans should be treated fairly and each problem should be dealt with equal priority, as all humans deserve the same rights.
PRIMARY SOURCE - Photograph of poorer housing in South Africa
Taken by Nic Bothma working for EPA in 2010
Perspective - Of the photographer, potential for over exaggeration and/or bias
Reliability - Fairly reliable as the photograph has not been altered, though it has a limited field of view
Usefulness - useful for understanding today's civil rights issues
Analysis - Shown above shows another civil rights issue in South Africa and this is that poorer people are significantly disadvantaged, as shown in the picture above as they live in tin shacks.
Question 9
HOW DID THE MOVEMENT IMPACT THE WORLD TODAY?
The movement to end apartheid in South Africa had a major influence on the world and how people from Africa with dark skin were viewed in the social standing. In the past, Europe was seen as a leading country with all its technological innovations and advancements in civilisation. It also discovered many external landmasses away from its main continent. What many white people failed to recognise that due to a simple change in skin colour, black natives from other countries were regarded as inferior or not as advanced, as they failed to understand how different the technology that the natives used. This resulted in racial segregation in many parts of the world forcing natives to assimilate to a supposedly more “advanced” version of living, while in reality the Black people were living in a more sustainable and still advanced way. This doesn’t just apply for the native South African’s, but also the natives in the United States and Australia. The views presented in South Africa at the time were also being portrayed in the United States as many African people had been transported to as slaves during previous centuries had been discriminated against with segregation laws, just because of their different lifestyle.
The civil rights movement in South Africa and other countries helped others to realise that the natives from these countries were not inferior, and they proved they should be treated with the same rights and freedoms of the Whites, as we are all humans. The effect of the civil rights movement in South Africa helped other countries to recognise that we should be more respectful and caring of other races, nationalities and religions. It also promotes multiculturism, equality and equity. Many other countries followed the path of South Africa to reduce racial segregation. The natives in South Africa and around the world ae treated as equals by most people today. This movement in South Africa increased racial tolerance in the world and allowed people of African origin with dark skin equal rights and access to equal facilities. For example, Australia introduced the Anti-Discrimination Act 1975, demonstrating increasing tolerance of people around the world. which In summary, the civil rights movements in South Africa affected the worldwide understanding of social justice and how the rights and freedoms for all should be observed, no matter what colour, race, etc.
In other countries such as the United States and Australia we have the right to enjoy a freedom of expression. If there is something we strongly disagree against, we can protest against it, but in South Africa the freedom of expression of the people is fairly limited.
The government proposed a law in 2011 named the Protection of Information Bill. According to the bill any threat to national security could result in a prison sentence of 15 to 20 years. This definition of a “threat to national security” is fairly vague, but the bill targets the media and whistleblowers which would silence any freedom of expression in fear of the law.
RIGHTS OF WORKERS Issues
In various parts of the economy, lower class workers continue to face many challenges, such as farmworkers. The lack of adequate legislation leaves the lower class workers vulnerable and defenseless to more powerful employees, which could exploit them to unfair wages and hours of work. According to Human Rights Research in the Western Cape, which has the largest number of farmers in South Africa, companies where not respecting the various human rights. These include
- Occupational
Health and Safety Issues
- Exposure
to harmful chemicals
- Poor
housing conditions and farms
- Unfair
labour conditions
- Poor
wage
South Africa has a good amount of national wealth, good health infrastructure and strong legal framework, but despite this, the deaths of babies occurring under the age of 1 has increased dramatically in the last decade. Also, 4500 Women Die each year in South Africa due to pregnancy related causes.
The government has failed to provide equality between the private and public health sectors, and some health services are not easily accessible to people. There is also a high disease burden, such as HIV/AIDS.
Women and girls continue to live with insecurity regarding certain issues such as violence against women and sexual abuse. Several studies indicate the criminal justice system is not adequate enough to investigate and punish sexual violence. This makes it harder to give women the rights they deserve, unless changes are made to the legislation.
REFUGEE RIGHTS Issues
Australia currently faces the problem with asylum seekers, and South Africa faces the same problem. IN 2011, South Africa forcibly returned Zimbawean asylum seekers as they did not have the correct “travel documents.” According to the United Nations, you do not require any documents to seek asylum in a country. This is even more concerning as most of the asylum seekers would be classified as legitimate refugees that should be allowed entry. In the same year, South Africa closed a refugee reception office in Johannesburg, further increasing the problem.
The lack of a realization that asylum seekers are in need of being allowed access to South Africa with more ease that it currently is, is a human rights issue as all humans should be allowed the rights as detailed in the Human Rights Charter, such as clean water and education. Currently this is not the case for the asylum seekers.
JUDGEMENT
As shown by the various points above, We highly disagree with the statement “There is no need for further civil rights action in South Africa.” South Africa faces Woman’s rights, workers’ rights, refugees rights and freedom of expression issues, and some more as well. Although these problems are on a much smaller scale than previous civil rights issues such as the Apartheid, all humans should be treated fairly and each problem should be dealt with equal priority, as all humans deserve the same rights.
PRIMARY SOURCE - Photograph of poorer housing in South Africa
Taken by Nic Bothma working for EPA in 2010
Perspective - Of the photographer, potential for over exaggeration and/or bias
Reliability - Fairly reliable as the photograph has not been altered, though it has a limited field of view
Usefulness - useful for understanding today's civil rights issues
Analysis - Shown above shows another civil rights issue in South Africa and this is that poorer people are significantly disadvantaged, as shown in the picture above as they live in tin shacks.
Question 9
HOW DID THE MOVEMENT IMPACT THE WORLD TODAY?
The movement to end apartheid in South Africa had a major influence on the world and how people from Africa with dark skin were viewed in the social standing. In the past, Europe was seen as a leading country with all its technological innovations and advancements in civilisation. It also discovered many external landmasses away from its main continent. What many white people failed to recognise that due to a simple change in skin colour, black natives from other countries were regarded as inferior or not as advanced, as they failed to understand how different the technology that the natives used. This resulted in racial segregation in many parts of the world forcing natives to assimilate to a supposedly more “advanced” version of living, while in reality the Black people were living in a more sustainable and still advanced way. This doesn’t just apply for the native South African’s, but also the natives in the United States and Australia. The views presented in South Africa at the time were also being portrayed in the United States as many African people had been transported to as slaves during previous centuries had been discriminated against with segregation laws, just because of their different lifestyle.
The civil rights movement in South Africa and other countries helped others to realise that the natives from these countries were not inferior, and they proved they should be treated with the same rights and freedoms of the Whites, as we are all humans. The effect of the civil rights movement in South Africa helped other countries to recognise that we should be more respectful and caring of other races, nationalities and religions. It also promotes multiculturism, equality and equity. Many other countries followed the path of South Africa to reduce racial segregation. The natives in South Africa and around the world ae treated as equals by most people today. This movement in South Africa increased racial tolerance in the world and allowed people of African origin with dark skin equal rights and access to equal facilities. For example, Australia introduced the Anti-Discrimination Act 1975, demonstrating increasing tolerance of people around the world. which In summary, the civil rights movements in South Africa affected the worldwide understanding of social justice and how the rights and freedoms for all should be observed, no matter what colour, race, etc.
PRIMARY SOURCE - Photograph
Taken in FIFA World Cup 2010 by stadium staff Perspective - Unknown, little bias introduced as it is not trying to persuade. Taken for multiple purposes Reliability - Very reliable. Reputable source, unmodified picture. Usefulness - Tells us about the multiculturalism is South Africa and also about the tourism Analysis - The effects of the Anti-Apartheid movement has made South Africa into a more inclusive society, encouraging sports from many races and skin colours across the world, and also giving a sense of freedom to the non-natives and natives of South Africa. |