Apartheid’s shadow vs. America’s Stain: which country’s sex offender registry leads on human rights?

Source: Florida Action Committee 3/20/25

On one side we have the United States – the “land of the free”, “with liberty and justice for all” and the self-appointed global moral compass. On the other side we have South Africa, a nation historically scarred by apartheid, oppression and human rights violations. Which country is showing the world what real progress looks like? In this case, South Africa, is putting the U.S. to shame when it comes to respecting human rights and insight into effective criminal justice.

Earlier this year South Africa was supposed to publish its national sex offenders registry. Then it decided not to.

The South African justice system operates on the principle that offenders who have served their sentences should be allowed to reintegrate into society. Therefore, making the registry public could permanently stigmatize former offenders, never allowing them to function in society – thereby making everyone less safe. Also, making former offenders’ details public could lead to community-administered punishment and vigilantism. And finally, the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) in South Africa protects all personal information, including those of a convicted criminal.

The U.S. loves to point fingers at other countries while ignoring its own sins. Lack of personal…

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This is like comparing a pile of road apples to a pile of dog sh*t. They’re both egregious either way so who cares? Yes, the USA is right on par with Apartheid South Africa as of this moment, and it’s largely because of the former Confederate states. They are the problem here.

Good on South Africa for backing out of this scheme. Hopefully the courts can hold it off indefinetely

Wow! The U.S. is behind S. Africa on human rights. Never saw that coming.