Speeches

Statement by Her Excellency Ms Mmamoloko Tryphosa Kubayi, MP Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development of the Republic of South Africa, at the High-Level Thematic Meeting: Advancing Access to Justice for Effective and Fair Criminal Justice Systems, 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, United Arab Emirates, 27 September 2026

Distinguished Chairpersons,
Executive Director of UNODC,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honoured to participate in this important discussion on advancing access to justice for effective and fair criminal justice systems.

Access to justice is not only a legal principle but a prerequisite for human dignity, equality, the rule of law and sustainable development. Without meaningful access to justice, rights remain theoretical, institutions lose public trust, and vulnerable communities are left behind. Ensuring equal access to justice for all is therefore central to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) and building peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies.

For South Africa, access to justice is a constitutional obligation. Our Constitution guarantees everyone the right to have disputes resolved fairly before independent courts and tribunals. Since the advent of democracy, we have worked continuously to transform our justice system into one that is accessible, responsive and people centred.

As we celebrate more than three decades of constitutional democracy, we have intensified efforts to address the legacy of apartheid-era spatial planning, which forced many communities, particularly those in rural and historically disadvantaged areas, to travel long distances to access justice services. Through the rationalisation of court jurisdictions, South Africa is spatially reconfiguring the court system to bring justice closer to the people and to ensure that access to justice is not determined by where one lives. These reforms demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that justice is within reach of every citizen.

We also recognise that access to justice in the twenty-first century requires not physical infrastructure only but also requires digital transformation. South Africa is investing in modernising justice services through electronic case management systems, digitised court processes and integrated information platforms under the Integrated Justice System (IJS) and Court online program. These initiatives are reducing delays, improving efficiency and making justice services more accessible, particularly for poor and marginalised communities.

We have also prioritised specialised courts, including Sexual Offences Courts, Domestic Violence Courts, Children's Courts and Equality Courts. These courts help ensure that victims in particular women, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups receive services that are responsive to their specific circumstances and needs. Our objective is to build a justice system that not only delivers outcomes but does so in a manner that respects dignity and promotes inclusion.

South Africa further recognises that legal empowerment is essential to meaningful access to justice. Through Legal Aid South Africa, community advice offices and the Programme for Legal Empowerment and Access to Justice (PLEAJ), we continue to expand legal assistance and rights awareness, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities. Justice must never be the preserve of those who can afford it. Moreover, we have intensified our efforts to remove the barriers to access to justice for all. Ultimately our goal is to create a society in which justice is available to all not just for the few.

Distinguished delegates,

The challenges facing criminal justice systems are evolving rapidly. New technologies, cybercrime, climate-related pressures, organised crime and growing inequalities are creating new barriers to justice. No country can address these challenges alone. We require stronger international partnerships, sustained investment in justice institutions, and greater collaboration in sharing knowledge, expertise and innovation.

South Africa therefore welcomes international efforts, including the establishment of the Vienna-based Group of Friends on Access to Justice, to promote cooperation and exchange good practices. We remain committed to working with the United Nations and all Member States to advance people-centred justice systems that protect rights, strengthen public trust and leave no one behind.

Distinguished delegates,

South Africa is proud to announce that we will host an International Conference on Access to Justice from 12 to 13 November 2026. The Conference will bring together governments, judiciaries, legal practitioners, academia, civil society and international organisations to share best practices and advance people-centred, inclusive and victim-responsive justice systems. We invite all partners to join us as we collectively strengthen global cooperation and accelerate progress towards equal access to justice for all.

In conclusion,

Access to justice is more than access to courts. It is access to rights, remedies, protection and opportunity. It is the foundation upon which safe, fair and inclusive societies are built. Justice must not be just be seen to be done but must be experienced as a reality by our communities especially the vulnerable groups. South Africa, therefore, reaffirms its commitment to strengthening equal access to justice for all and to working collectively towards criminal justice systems that are effective, fair and responsive in an effort to build a better world where we all live in harmony

I thank you.