South Africa

South Africa

Right	Section	Contents
Freedom of Association	History	The first assertion of Freedom of Association in South Africa was in the 1993 Interim Constitution, under Chapter III, Article 17. This Constitution was drafted during the transition to democratic processes leading up to the first post-apartheid elections in 1994, and came into force April 27, 1994, the day of the election. CIA World Factbook. South Africa. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/south-africa/#government United Nations. Peacemaker. SOUTH AFRICA INTERIM CONSTITUTION (1993). https://peacemaker.un.org/documents/south-africa-interim-constitution-1993
Freedom of Expression	History	Freedom of expression was first protected under South Africa’s Interim Constitution of 1993. Article 15(1) specifically defines the right. “Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 200 of 1993 [repealed].” Government of South Africa. Accessed July 13, 2023. https://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/constitution-republic-south-africa-act-200-1993#Fundamental%20Rights
Freedom of Religion	History	The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa was ratified on December 18, 1996. Articles 9, 15, and 31 grant religious freedom, equality, and prohibit religious discrimination. Government of South Africa . “The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.” South African Government. Last modified 2003. Accessed July 5, 2022. https://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/constitution-republic-south-africa-1996-1#:~:text=The%20Constitution%20of%20the%20Republic%20of%20South%20Africa%2C%201996%2C%20was,the%20provisions%20of%20the%20Constitution.
Freedom of the Press	History	South Africa’s Progressive Federal Party pushed to include freedom of the press as a part of a Bill of Rights during the drafting of the 1983 South African Constitution, but it was ultimately rejected by the rest of Parliament (SAMEDIA, “PFP’s lone stand on ‘Rights’”). Today, Article 16 of South Africa’s 1996 Constitution protects press freedom: “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes…freedom of the press and other media" (Constitute Project, “South Africa’s Constitution of 1996 with Amendments through 2012” ).
Privacy Rights	History	The 1993 Interim Constitution of South Africa was the first to grant privacy rights. The right to privacy includes “the right not to be subject to searches of his or her person, home or property, the seizure of private possessions or the violation of private communications” (South African Government, “Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 200 of 1993” ). Today, the 1996 Constitution offers similar protections in Article 14 (Constitute Project, “South Africa 1996 rev. 2012) . https://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/constitution-republic-south-africa-act-200- 1993# 13%20Privacy https://constituteproject.org/constitution/South_Africa_ 2012? lang=en
Voting Rights and Suffrage	History	Articles 1 and 19 of South Africa’s Constitution make note of adult citizens’ right to universal, equal, and fair elections as well as to run for political office. Article 47 states that these adult citizens have the right to elect the members of the National Assembly.(Constitute Project, “South Africa’s Constitution of 1996 with Amendments through 2012” ).