Chairperson, when we talk about human rights, the first thing that will come to mind is the constitution of a country. We are from a past that had a constitution, but a constitution without the protection of human rights. Today, we are sitting with a Constitution that is rated as one of the best in the world. A Constitution with a Bill of Rights, and that is in chapter two. I was there when this Constitution was written.
The opening paragraph of the Bill of Rights says, and I quote from sections 1 and 2:
This Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa. It enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom.
The state must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights in the Bill of Rights.
Chairperson, many people have laid down their lives for these rights. Many people spent years in prison, went into exile and are sitting with painful scars for these rights. It is very sad for me to say that what I have just quoted from the Bill of Rights is not respected; it is very scary when we read what we read in the media on a daily basis about the alleged brutality and torture of suspects by the police. It reminds one of the olden days. The recent raid by the crime intelligence police on the Office of the Public Protector is a clear sign of intimidation of a Chapter 9 institution. These actions go directly against our Bill of Rights.
While on the face of it all our people are free, in truth, the vast majority remains in bondage. Mired in poverty and lacking skills, they experience loss of human dignity on a daily basis. The protection of human dignity begins with having food on the table. If government had provided vigorous leadership, thousands of people would have joined in to support people growing their own food.
When we speak of the protection of human dignity, we also need to turn the spotlight on violence against women and children. The frequency with which women are raped and sexually abused in our country should be a matter of shame for all of us. By doing nothing, we are complicit in the abuses that occur against women.
Physical violence and abuse against women robs them of their human dignity. The same applies to children who are abused. We all know what is happening but we are turning a blind eye and we allow abuses to rob our children of their human dignity. Thank you.