The Right to Life in South Africa: More Than Just a Constitutional Promise

Section 11 of the South African Constitution is one of the shortest provisions in the Bill of Rights, yet arguably one of the most powerful. It states simply: “Everyone has the right to life.” There are no conditions, qualifications, or exclusions. Yet questions remain about what this right means in practice. Is it merely about the state refraining from taking life, or does it also require active measures to protect […]