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Human Rights
Human rights, in terms of
Chapter Two (Bill of Rights) of the Constitution, bind all legislative and
executive bodies of state at all levels of government.
They apply to all laws, administrative decisions taken and
acts performed during the period in which the Constitution is in
force. In terms of the Constitution, every person has basic
human rights such as:
- freedom from discrimination
- a right to life.
Since 1994 and in keeping with the cultivation of a
human-rights culture, the focus is gradually shifting
from an adversarial and retributive criminal justice system to that of a
restorative justice system. The Service Charter for
Victims of Crime seeks to consolidate the present
legal framework in South Africa relating to the rights
of and services provided to victims of crime, and to
eliminate secondary victimisation in the criminal justice
process.
The ultimate goal is victim empowerment through
meeting victims’ needs, whether material or emotional.
Source: South Africa Yearbook 2007/08
Editor: D Burger. Government Communication and Information System
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Last modified: 15 April 2008 13:07:48.
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