Ramaphosa calls for equal access to justice system for everyone
President says access to the justice system cannot be limited to one's ability to approach a court
President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of ensuring equal access to the justice system for all individuals, regardless of their social status. Addressing the Access to Justice International Conference in Sun City, hosted by various legal organizations, including the United Nations, Ramaphosa stressed that access to justice cannot be solely based on one's capacity to visit a court. Instead, it should encompass understanding one's rights and the ability to challenge abuses of power.
He explained that the primary impediment to justice is poverty. Poverty curtails people's choices, diminishes their bargaining power, and leaves them vulnerable to exploitation. Consequently, poverty often prevents individuals from contesting unlawful decisions, opposing abusive employers, or seeking redress for grievances. Ramaphosa underscored that while a person may reside in a constitutional democracy, they might still encounter injustice in numerous facets of their daily life.
Bridging this gap between constitutional rights and practical justice is a critical task that needs to be accomplished.
Written by urgent.news from SABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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