Module 3 Flashcards
What is parliament sovereignty?
Until 1994 the system of parliamentary sovereignty was in force in South Africa, which meant courts could not evaluate acts of parliament for their content. Now this system has been substituted by a system of constitutionalism
Where is the philosophical basic of the human rights found?
The philosophical basis of human rights is often found in natural law. Sometimes these rights are found in religion. After the middle ages the source of these rights was increasingly being found in human rationality
How was the modern human rights protection initiated?
Modern human-rights protection was initiated on an international level by introduction of the UN in 1945 and adopted the Universal declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
What is the universal declaration of human rights?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights lists the basic rights of each individual throughout the world. This was supplemented by two treaties: the covenant and part of public international law.
What is a regional mechanism that protects human rights?
At a regional level mechanisms and organs also exist to protect human rights. The Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1981 adopted the African Charter on Human and Peoples rights sometimes referred to as Banjul Charter and placed duties on individuals and groups
How can human rights infringements be addressed?
International and regional protection of human rights is only subsidiary. An infringement of rights can be addressed in the most direct way and with the least delay internally in the courts of each country.
What is the African Commission on Human Rights responsible for?
The African Commission on Humans Rights and Peoples rights are responsible for monitoring state compliance with the Charter.
What is a first generation right?
First-generation rights provide a shield for individuals to protect themselves against the state authority. Guarantees freedom from unlawful interference by the state. They operate on a vertical level. These rights are political and civil rights, including the right to life, freedom of expression, of association and religious freedom. These rights are known as blue rights and origins are in the struggle against despotic regimes.
What are second generation rights?
Second-generation rights are socio-economic rights. They do not require the state to refrain from doing something specific, but to take positive action. These rights are mostly controlled by the state such as the right to housing, education, medical services. Claims to theses rights are unenforceable in a state where insufficient means exist to give them effect
What are third generation rights?
Third-generation rights pertain to groups. Such as the right to a healthy living environment, right to development and self-determination. These are green right
What are the three main obligations governments have to a right?
The government’s three main obligations to a right is the duty to respect, protect and fulfil it.
What is the obligation of governments to respect rights mean?
The obligation to respect requires governments to refrain from interfering with an individual’s enjoyment of their rights.
What is the obligation of governments to protect rights mean?
The obligation to protect ensures a government that individual’s rights are not curtailed by third parties.
What is the obligation of governments to fulfil rights mean?
The duty to fulfil requires the allocation of resources and other means to ensure that the right is actually made effective
What is the most important document of human rights in South Africa?
The Freedom Charter may be regarded as the first important human-rights document originating from South Africa as it gives equal rights to all South Africans.
What is the principle of adjudicative subsidiarity?
The principle of adjudicative subsidiarity states that courts should declare legislation and rules of the common law unconstitutional only if those laws cannot be interpreted in the line with the Constitution. This is because section 39 required courts to interpret all law in the light of values of the Constitution.
What does section 2 state?
Section 2 of the Constitution stipulates that the whole Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic.
What does section 8 state?
Section 8 of the Constitution bestows rights and duties of the application of the law
What does section 9 state?
Section 9 of the Constitution is the right to equality
What does section 10 state?
Section 10 is the right to dignity
What does section 11 state?
Section 11 is the right to life
What does section 12 state?
Section 12 is the right to safety
What does section 13 state?
Section 13 is the right to not be forced labour
What does section 14 state?
Section 14 is the right to privacy