Incoroporating International Human Rights Law in National Constitutions: The South African Experience
PROGRESS IN INTERNATIONAL LAW, Russell Miller & Rebecca Bratspies, eds., 2008
20 Pages Posted: 23 Jul 2008
Date Written: July 12, 2008
Abstract
This chapter assesses the human rights project in South Africa by examining first how international law has been incorporated in the Bill of Rights. Second, it evaluates the interpretation of these rights by the Constitutional Court, and more specifically, how the Court has embraced international law in its jurisprudence. The chapter argues that despite the mandate to consider international law in its deliberations, the Constitutional Court has strategically adopted international law when appropriate, but disregards international law when difficult political choices demand such marginalization, as it did with the challenge to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Keywords: International Law, Constitutional Law
JEL Classification: K33, K40, K10
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation