ASA has violated Caster Semenya's right to dignity and must appear before Parliament

South Africa's Bill of Rights contains the following provision: "Everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected."

There can be little doubt that, between Athletics South Africa and the IAAF, Caster Semenya's right to dignity has been violated. It has been done in a manner that is both cold and callous, and all the available evidence suggests the cause is incompetence.

Every South African should ask themselves the following question: "What if it was me?"

Only then is it possible to relate to the cruel manner in which Caster Semenya's dignity has been walked over and her privacy denigrated.

We should be embarrassed, that a public body elected to promote athletics in South Africa has allowed this matter to spiral out of control at the expense of a person's Constitutional rights.

Caster Semenya, on the other hand, has nothing to be embarrassed about. She should stand tall, as a person dedicated to excellence in her field and a proud ambassador for our country. The manner in which she has dealt with this matter is exemplary and she has embodied the values and principles that underpin everyone's right to dignity by remaining above a mess not of her making.

I shall be writing to the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sports and Recreation, with the request that Athletics South Africa appear before the committee to explain fully its role in this matter and to account for its failure to protect the rights of a South African athlete, in violation of its very purpose.

Athletics South Africa owes Caster Semenya and the South African public an explanation. The DA is going to fight to ensure that both get one.

Statement issued by Donald Lee, MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of sport and recreation, September 11 2009

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