This first Periodic Report contains five chapters:
- History of the Republic of South Africa
- The South African legal system
- General measures of implementation - listed by Article of the Charter, with a large number of references to domestic legislation and case law
- Measures taken by South Africa to promote and ensure the respect of human rights through teaching, education and publication in accordance with Article 25 of the Charter
- The use of the Charter in international relations
From the Conclusion:
The South African government has delivered three pieces of legislation which underscore the consolidation of our democracy, namely the Promotion of Equality and
Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 (Act 4 of 2000); Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (Act 2 of 2000); and Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000
(Act 3 of 2000). ...
South Africa has sound legislative frameworks and policies, which are the basis for promotion and protection of civil and political rights; social, economic and cultural rights;
and right to development. Of importance, these legislative frameworks and policies seek to improve social and economic conditions of the past disadvantaged groups, namely Blacks, women and disabled persons. These groups have lived and continue to live under conditions of abject poverty, while the majority of Whites are well off.
The South African government is also faced with other challenges, such as the high level of crime, in particular sexual violence crimes against women, children and elderly persons. However, this does not suggest that South Africa is the world capital of crime as perceived by the media. Statistics have shown that there is even a higher level of crime in some developed countries than is the case in South Africa. South Africa has an Integrated Justice System (IJS), which is constantly addressing this scourge. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria are other social ills that are being dealt with despite the limited human and financial resources."
