Government needs to be consistent in defending human rights

Cheryllyn Dudley MP


The ACDP questions whether the South African government acts in accordance with our Bill of Rights in respect to human rights abuses in other countries. The government clearly responds in terms of international law regarding human rights abuses in some states. However, this appears to be arbitrary and inconsistent. Its stance on Israel is a case in point, with the Executive condemning Israel for its alleged violation of human rights, but when it comes to the Sudanese government or our neighbour Zimbabwe, the Executive's record is shameful.

These governments are clearly in violation of norms of international human rights law. There is hard evidence of torture and killing of political opposition.

The ACDP is disturbed to hear that a North Korean delegation will be visiting South Africa soon and will be received by government. According to Amnesty International that has recorded human rights abuses in the country for many years; North Korea has an abysmal record of human rights abuses and religious persecution is the order of the day.

Will the South African government continue to discriminate or will it speak out against the abuse of human rights impartially?

The ACDP calls on government to address the human rights abuses in North Korea and stop turning a convenient blind eye.