LO NOTES
CHAPTER 7
Democracy and Human rights
Unit 1: Responsible citizenship
Responsible citizenship means that you do your duty as a citizen, you fulfil your responsibilities, and you do
what is right or expected of you as a citizen. As a responsible citizen you:
- Are aware of, respect, and promote human rights
- Are concerned about the welfare of others
- Take part in campaigns, projects and events that fight against the violation of human rights
- Obey the law
- Participate in civil and political activities
- Vote in elections
- Pay your taxes
1.1 Evaluate your position on discrimination and human rights violations
To evaluate your position on discrimination and human rights violations:
You critically analyse your own viewpoints, behaviour, opinions and attitudes towards these issues.
You consider your position by taking the Bill of rights into account.
You participate in discussions, projects, campaigns and events that address discrimination and
human right violations.
DEFINITIONS
Campaigns = a planned series of actions intended to achieve a particular aim
Events = planned occasions or activities
Violation = interfering with a person’s rights; doing something that is against the law
Projects = planned activity that have a specific purpose to improve something; usually take place over a
long time
BILL OF RIGHTS
= 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 rights in the Bill of rights are basic human rights. Examples of these rights – to be treated equally, to
have dignity and self-respect, to have your own opinion and views, follow any religion you choose, express
your ideas, views and opinion freely.
DISCRIMINATION
= a violation against human rights. To discriminate against others, you treat them unjustly, unfairly, and
unequally because they are, or you think they are, different from you.
Examples of discriminatory behaviour – calling people insulting names because of their race, their age or
their religion or because of some physical or mental disability.
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
= means hurting, disrespecting, or acting against someone’s rights. If you call someone names you are
being disrespectful to that person. You are violating his/her rights to dignity. If you kill someone, you are
violating his/her right to life. Some learners violate other people’s rights to privacy by posting their private
information on Facebook.
, 1.2 Participate in discussions, projects, campaigns and events which address discrimination and human
rights violations
DISCUSSIONS
= are dialogues, talks and conversations in which people share information, ideas, experiences and
opinions.
Discussions can be formal or informal. Examples:
Online discussions and forums – people write their opinions on a website and others respond and
comment
Social media such as Twitter and Facebook
Radio programmes – may have a discussion with an expert and then people phone in to give their
ides or ask questions
Talks and workshops
Organisations such as Human Rights Commission have discussions with government
PROJECTS
Projects that help people whose human rights have been violated usually run over a long time, even years.
They may be run by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), universities, or faith-based organisations.
Projects are always looking for volunteers to help them.
1. ORANGE FARM HUMAN RIGHTS ADVICE CENTRE
The foundation for Human Rights, has taken over a project started by the Catholic Church in 1996 at
Orange Farm. Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, is one of the largest informal settlements in SA,
with a population of about a million people.
The project is an advice centre that deals with evictions, domestic violence, child abuse and
disability issues. It also assists refugees and asylum seekers and helps people to get birth certificates
and ID documents. It has been a beacon of hope in the poverty stricken community of Orange Farm.
2. YOUTH RIGHTS PROJECT
The human rights institute of SA (HURISA) has a project that organises human rights training
workshops for youth representatives.
The aim is to build values and develop responsibility, expertise, skills and understanding of rights
that give youth opportunities
Young people who take part in the workshops are expected to pass on what they know to their
communities and to start projects that seek to improve human rights situations.
Young people are helped to understand their rights and responsibilities. They are guided on how to
make the most of career and job opportunities.
CAMPAIGNS
= a series of actions intended to change something. A campaign can be for or against something, e.g. a
campaign for more clinics in rural areas or an anti-drug campaign.
1. PEERMONT SCHOOL SUPPORT PROGRAMME (PSSP)
Started a human rights campaign in some high schools in the Ekurhuleni and Sedibeng areas.
Aim is to introduce conversations at the schools about human rights, the Bill of Rights, and the
Constitution.
CHAPTER 7
Democracy and Human rights
Unit 1: Responsible citizenship
Responsible citizenship means that you do your duty as a citizen, you fulfil your responsibilities, and you do
what is right or expected of you as a citizen. As a responsible citizen you:
- Are aware of, respect, and promote human rights
- Are concerned about the welfare of others
- Take part in campaigns, projects and events that fight against the violation of human rights
- Obey the law
- Participate in civil and political activities
- Vote in elections
- Pay your taxes
1.1 Evaluate your position on discrimination and human rights violations
To evaluate your position on discrimination and human rights violations:
You critically analyse your own viewpoints, behaviour, opinions and attitudes towards these issues.
You consider your position by taking the Bill of rights into account.
You participate in discussions, projects, campaigns and events that address discrimination and
human right violations.
DEFINITIONS
Campaigns = a planned series of actions intended to achieve a particular aim
Events = planned occasions or activities
Violation = interfering with a person’s rights; doing something that is against the law
Projects = planned activity that have a specific purpose to improve something; usually take place over a
long time
BILL OF RIGHTS
= 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 rights in the Bill of rights are basic human rights. Examples of these rights – to be treated equally, to
have dignity and self-respect, to have your own opinion and views, follow any religion you choose, express
your ideas, views and opinion freely.
DISCRIMINATION
= a violation against human rights. To discriminate against others, you treat them unjustly, unfairly, and
unequally because they are, or you think they are, different from you.
Examples of discriminatory behaviour – calling people insulting names because of their race, their age or
their religion or because of some physical or mental disability.
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
= means hurting, disrespecting, or acting against someone’s rights. If you call someone names you are
being disrespectful to that person. You are violating his/her rights to dignity. If you kill someone, you are
violating his/her right to life. Some learners violate other people’s rights to privacy by posting their private
information on Facebook.
, 1.2 Participate in discussions, projects, campaigns and events which address discrimination and human
rights violations
DISCUSSIONS
= are dialogues, talks and conversations in which people share information, ideas, experiences and
opinions.
Discussions can be formal or informal. Examples:
Online discussions and forums – people write their opinions on a website and others respond and
comment
Social media such as Twitter and Facebook
Radio programmes – may have a discussion with an expert and then people phone in to give their
ides or ask questions
Talks and workshops
Organisations such as Human Rights Commission have discussions with government
PROJECTS
Projects that help people whose human rights have been violated usually run over a long time, even years.
They may be run by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), universities, or faith-based organisations.
Projects are always looking for volunteers to help them.
1. ORANGE FARM HUMAN RIGHTS ADVICE CENTRE
The foundation for Human Rights, has taken over a project started by the Catholic Church in 1996 at
Orange Farm. Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, is one of the largest informal settlements in SA,
with a population of about a million people.
The project is an advice centre that deals with evictions, domestic violence, child abuse and
disability issues. It also assists refugees and asylum seekers and helps people to get birth certificates
and ID documents. It has been a beacon of hope in the poverty stricken community of Orange Farm.
2. YOUTH RIGHTS PROJECT
The human rights institute of SA (HURISA) has a project that organises human rights training
workshops for youth representatives.
The aim is to build values and develop responsibility, expertise, skills and understanding of rights
that give youth opportunities
Young people who take part in the workshops are expected to pass on what they know to their
communities and to start projects that seek to improve human rights situations.
Young people are helped to understand their rights and responsibilities. They are guided on how to
make the most of career and job opportunities.
CAMPAIGNS
= a series of actions intended to change something. A campaign can be for or against something, e.g. a
campaign for more clinics in rural areas or an anti-drug campaign.
1. PEERMONT SCHOOL SUPPORT PROGRAMME (PSSP)
Started a human rights campaign in some high schools in the Ekurhuleni and Sedibeng areas.
Aim is to introduce conversations at the schools about human rights, the Bill of Rights, and the
Constitution.
