SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate understanding of the concept of human rights and democracy and its application in society 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119665  Demonstrate understanding of the concept of human rights and democracy and its application in society 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Democracy, Human Rights, Peace and Elections 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 07 - Human and Social Studies Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  12 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for people who need to understand the concept of human rights and democracy and its application society including a variety of human rights and democracy related activities.

People credited with this unit standard are capable of:
  • Demonstrating understanding of the different schools of thought in the human rights and democratic field.
  • Providing a historical perspective of human rights and democracy.
  • Describing the instruments that developed in response to human rights violations.
  • Demonstrating understanding of the principles and values of human rights and democracy.
  • Critically analysing recent responses to human rights violations within the African regional system. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is recommended that learners are competent in the Unit Standard: "Demonstrate awareness of the foundations of human rights and democracy" before accessing this Unit Standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This unit standard should be seen in the light that human rights are not exclusive to democratic systems. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate understanding of the different schools of thought in the human rights and democratic field. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    "schools of thought" refer to the historical, moral, philosophical and/or religious basis for human rights and democracy.
    For assessment, learners should include at least 2 African and European examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different schools of thought are identified and defined in terms of historical and current theories and practices. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An analysis of a selected number of global schools of thought identifies key similarities and differences. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    At least two schools of thought to be compared.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An analysis of a selected number of South African schools of thought identifies key similarities and differences. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    At least two schools of thought to be compared.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Human rights practices and activities are identified and linked to selected schools of thought. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    At least 5 practices and activities illustrating at least two schools of thought.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Provide a historical perspective of human rights and democracy. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    This outcome is to include the origins and development of human kind in terms of systems that arose to prevent human rights violations. Ancient history is up to 500 AD and recent history refers to the 19th and 20th Century. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Examples from ancient history highlight the development of human rights and democracy. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    African, Asian and Mediterranean history.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Examples from recent history highlight the progression of human rights and democracy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Timelines are provided within the South African context to illustrate a variety of human rights issues, violations and progression. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pastoral (pre-1652) to present.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the instruments that developed in response to human rights violations. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Instruments refer to declarations, conventions, treaties, charters, structures and oral traditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Descriptions of various forms of protective human rights instruments highlight the manner in which human rights emerged. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Within the United Nations system as well prior to the United Nations such as the Magna Carta (1215), the English Bill of Rights (1689), the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (1789).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Descriptions highlight the factors that influenced the development of protective instruments at an international level. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors refer to social, economic, political and other categories.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Descriptions highlight the factors that influenced the development of protective instruments at a regional level. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors refer to social, economic, political and other categories.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Descriptions highlight the factors that influenced the development of protective instruments at a national level. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors refer to social, economic, political and other categories.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Descriptions identify similarities and differences between international, regional and national issues, and how these influenced the development of instruments. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate understanding of the principles and values of human rights and democracy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Descriptions are provided that highlight the key principles and values underpinning the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Descriptions are provided that highlight the key principles and values underpinning a variety of conventions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Conventions include ICCPR, ICESCR, CRC, CEDAW and CERD.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Descriptions are provided that highlight the key principles and values as reflected in major regional instruments. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Regional instruments refer to but are not limited to The African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (1986) and the Charter for the Rights of Women and the Rights of Children.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    National legislation, including the South African Constitution, is identified and examined in terms of underlying human rights principles and values. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    At least the Bill of Rights and two examples of national legislation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Examples are given to show how human rights and democratic principles and values ought to affect individual and group behaviour and attitudes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    At least 3 examples covering a range of situations such as use of language, stereotypes, biases, prejudices, movement, associations, socialising, general interactions with people and groups.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Analyse recent responses to human rights violations within the African regional system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Examples are limited to South Africa and the African continent and should provide opportunities for identification of good practice and ineffective strategies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The analysis identifies recent examples of interventions to address human rights violations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    At least 5 examples that are geographically spread over the continent and cover different issues should be provided. This may at least include the following: an example of gender based violence, child abuse, lack of democratic practice, genocide and xenophobia.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The analysis provides a commentary on the adequacy of interventions against human rights violations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    At least 2 examples of human rights violations selected above.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The analysis provides a commentary on examples of good practice in interventions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    At least 2 examples of human rights violations selected above.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The analysis provides substantive suggestions to redress shortcomings in the interventions identified. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    At least 2 examples of human rights violations selected above.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Assessors for this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the appropriate ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the appropriate ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the appropriate ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the appropriate ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the appropriate ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures.
  • Moderators must be registered as assessors with the relevant ETQA, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Foundations of human rights and democracy. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills: communication will be used when demonstrating knowledge of concepts of human rights. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understand the world as a set of inter-related parts of a system: this will be demonstrated when showing the impact of past events and conditions on the development of human rights, and the effect of human rights abuses. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Glossary and Abbreviations

    CEDAW: Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
    CERD: International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
    CRC: Convention on the Rights of the Child
    ICCPR: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
    ICESCR: International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

    Bill of Rights: A list of rights and freedoms for people in a country/countries. It can be part of the law of the country.

    Charter: A document outlining the principles, functions, and organization of a corporate body: a constitution: the city charter.

    Common Law: A body of law that is based on custom and general principles and embodied in case law and that serves as a precedent or is applied to situations not covered by statute.

    Constitution: A constitution contains the rules and principles according to which a country is governed.

    Convention: An agreement between nations for regulation of maters affecting all of them.

    Covenant: A binding agreement; a compact. A formal sealed agreement or contract. An international covenant on Human Rights.

    Declaration: An explicit, formal announcement, either oral or written.

    Developmental rights: "A decent standard of living, adequate nutrition, health care, education and decent work and protection against calamities are not just development goals - they are also human rights". (Human Development Report 2000
    or
    the right of people/a group of people to have their culture recognised or to advance themselves politically or economically.

    Law: A rule of conduct or procedure established by custom, agreement, or authority. The body of rules and principles governing the affairs of a community and enforced by a political authority; a legal system: international law.

    Legislation: The act or process of legislating; lawmaking. A proposal or enacted law or group of laws.

    Legislature: An officially elected or otherwise selected body of people vested with the responsibility and power to make laws for a political unit, such as a state or nation.

    Mechanism: A system of parts that operate or interact like those of a machine. A process by which something is done or comes into being.

    Organ: A government agency or instrument devoted to the performance of some specific function; "the SAPS is an organ of the government of the South Africa".

    Paralegal: A person with specialized training who assists lawyers.

    Petition: A formal document requesting a right or benefit from a person or group in authority.

    Preamble: A preliminary statement, especially the introduction to a formal document that serves to explain its purpose. The introductory part of a constitution or statute that usually states the reasons for and intent of the law.

    Principle: A basic truth, law or assumption: the principles of democracy. A rule or standard.

    United Nations: An international organization composed of most of the countries of the world. It was founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and economic development.

    Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Is intended to be an international standard for the protection of Human Rights. Not directly or indirectly enforceable, and creates no legal obligations for the signatories. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  66869   National Certificate: Home Affairs Services  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  PSETA 
    Core  50583   National Certificate: Public Service Communication  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  PSETA 
    Core  63369   National Diploma: Trade Union Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  ETDP SETA 
    Core  50585   National Certificate: Public Service Communication  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  PSETA 
    Fundamental  80946   National Certificate: Community Development  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Elective  23095   Higher Education and Training Certificate: Development Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  ETDP SETA 
    Elective  50334   National Certificate: Occupationally Directed Education Training and Development Practices  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  ETDP SETA 
    Elective  50333   National Diploma: Occupationally Directed Education, Training and Development Practices  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  ETDP SETA 
    Elective  67373   National Diploma: Orientation and Mobility Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  ETDP SETA 
    Elective  50330   Bachelor: Occupationally Directed Education Training and Development Practices  Level 6  NQF Level 07  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. A4 Consultancy CC 
    2. ASORIP NPC 
    3. AVAX SA 481 CC. T/A Mandisa Development Services 
    4. Corporate Safety Training Academy PTY Ltd 
    5. CTU Training Solutions 
    6. Elvis Koena Consulting (Pty) Ltd 
    7. Essential Skills Management 
    8. IQ Skills Academy (PTY) LTD. 
    9. Katlego Compliance Training 
    10. Lionsden Africa Business Solutions Pty Ltd 
    11. Metro Minds 
    12. Mortarboard Training Solutions 
    13. Progressive School of Business and Engineering (Pty) 
    14. Tasc Business Consulting and Training 
    15. The Finishing College (Pty) Lt 
    16. Thinking Mind Trading 
    17. Vhutshilo Health And Training Organisation 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.