Human rights body flays ANC on bill

Human Rights Watch has slammed the ANC-led government for trying to curtail media freedom through the Protection of State Information Bill.

In its 2012 annual report, released in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday the organisation criticises the bill - aimed at regulating the classification, distribution and protection of government information - describing it as "flawed".

"The absence of a public interest defence, permitting the publication of information that serves the public, is its most notable weakness."

The report slams the ANC for its stance on the secrecy bill.

"The party periodically invokes the spectre of a media appeals tribunal, which would see statutory regulation of the media. Attacks on freedom of expression, particularly attempts by the ruling ANC to tamper with media independence, raised serious concerns about the government's commitment to the protection of basic civil and political rights."

On children and women's rights, the report says South Africa has failed to improve maternal mortality ratios.

"[The] maternal mortality ratio has more than quadrupled in the last decade, increasing from 150 to 625 deaths per 100000 live births between 1998 and 2007, with HIV playing a role in many of the deaths."

It says 4 500 women die each year due to preventable and treatable pregnancy-related causes.

Despite a highly unionised labour force, the authors raise concerns about the ill-treatment of farm workers.

"Farm workers are particularly vulnerable. Human Rights Watch's research in Western Cape uncovered a number of exploitative conditions under which farm workers work and live."

These ranged from occupational health to safety hazards, including exposure to harmful pesticides, evictions without access to short-term shelter and poor housing conditions, difficulties in forming or joining unions, and unfair labour conditions such as low pay.

South Africa's commitment to upholding the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people, and those of refugees, is also questioned.

"A 2011 Human Rights Watch report found that, despite the country's progressive legislation, discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity is widespread," it says.

The report, however, gives South Africa a thumbs up for its "active Human Rights Commission and the work of the [Office of the] Public Protector".