In Gauteng, thousands of learners are expected to use filthy and blocked toilets that are not being maintained. What has happened to their right to sanitation?
Around South Africa, lesbian women and gay men are still being targeted and murdered for being who they are. Where, then, is their right to equality? It is appalling that close to 500 000 disabled learners are still not in school in this country due to accessibility issues. What, then, has happened to their right to education? And the list, of course, goes on and on.
Every year, the SA Human Rights Commission require of the relevant organs of state to provide information on the measures that they have taken towards realising the Bill of Rights concerning housing, health care, food, social security, water, education and, of course, the environment. Hon Speaker, I implore the Human Rights Commission to pay more than just lip service and begin to address the real issues that are in violation of our human rights in South Africa today. National departments and government entities that neglect their role in providing basic human rights must be managed robustly and now be brought to account.
The Human Rights Commission should show that it will conduct investigations without fear or favour and begin leading the charge to prosecute those who are responsible for human rights violations. The Human Rights Commission should use its powers given by the Constitution more often to challenge human rights violations in a court of law in this country today. Every day we hear about another racist or discriminatory incident. In our goal towards transformation and the acceptance of one another, the Human Rights Commission should take a leading role and be an active participant in this conversation.
Hon members, the best Constitution in the world provides a very clear mandate on the role of the SA Human Rights Commission - something that we should be very proud of. As a Chapter 9 institution, the Human Rights Commission is an independent body and should not allow the ANC to continue infiltrating and demanding ... [Interjections.] I expected to get your blood pressure up, so it's not a problem. [Laughter.]
Today I ask that the Human Rights Commission takes leadership and clearly demonstrates that those 69 South Africans did not die in vain during the 1960 Sharpeville massacre.
To conclude, here is simple advice from one of the biggest defenders of human rights in the world, and I ask that you listen very carefully. Martin Luther King said, and I quote:
The hope of a secure and liveable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice and peace.
Colleagues and fellow South Africans, I thank you. [Applause.]