Zuma Criticised Over the Right to Remain Silent

Danzel van Zyl of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has criticised the call by the African National Congress president, Jacob Zuma, to scrap the right to remain silent.

Van Zyl warns that by taking away the right to remain silent, serious inroads will also be made into an arrested person’s right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. He argues that this may ultimately impact on such a person’s right to a fair trial.

“The right to remain silent is an important pillar of the administration of justice, and an important right to protect ordinary citizens from the excesses of the state,” stresses Van Zyl.

To read the comment titled, “Right to remain silent a pillar of justice system,” click here.