Human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate,Tawakkol Karman, delivered an inspiring address at Stellenbosch University, commemorating the 30th anniversary of apartheid's end in South Africa. 

During the International Youth Conference and Nobel Symposiums 2024, Karman connected the historical struggles for freedom in South Africa and Yemen, emphasizing the crucial role that a strong constitution plays in safeguarding human rights and democracy.

Addressing a captivated audience, Karman reflected on Yemen's near-establishment of a progressive constitutional framework before the 2015 coup. She noted how Yemenis drew inspiration from the South African constitution in their pursuit of a just society.

"The South African constitution is a remarkable achievement," Karman stated, "forged through the sacrifices of generations. It must be protected and upheld."

She highlighted essential constitutional principles such as equality, non-discrimination, and an independent judiciary, which have been vital in her own efforts for democratic rights in Yemen.

Karman vividly recounted the challenges Yemenis have faced in their quest for a constitution that guarantees fundamental rights and curbs authoritarianism. 

She shared a significant moment from her activism in 2011 when a European official suggested she abandon her efforts due to the difficulties she encountered. Karman steadfastly refused, underscoring the enduring power of collective action and the impact of her voice for millions.

Herein follows the speech transcript:

Peace be upon you. I am so happy to be here again in South Africa. As I said yesterday and always, I consider this country my own. Even before I visited it, why? Because I felt the suffering of the people here and read about your struggles even before I came. 

Nelson Mandela has always been, and still is, my hero. I remember when I started my journey in peaceful struggle, I placed his picture in my room, in my office, alongside Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. 

I am also proud that this country is the homeland of Desmond Tutu, who is one of the most important people who inspired me to speak out and fight for freedom, and how to engage in peaceful action. Thank you to all the people of South Africa for giving humanity this great gift.

When I received the invitation to speak about the 30 years of democracy in South Africa and how young Africans in South Africa can demonstrate leadership, I said yes, I love this topic because this is exactly what I did throughout my journey in the struggle for human rights. 

This is exactly what I did when I decided to become a human rights activist, when I decided to be a good citizen in my country, when I decided to be a good journalist. The first thing I looked at was what things I could take and make them my reference in my work to achieve my people's dream and my dream of freedom, justice, democracy, and the rule of law.

So, I saw our constitution, the Yemeni constitution. Regardless of its shortcomings, the Yemeni Constitution emerged from the historic unification of North and South Yemen, and guaranteed some important rights, though limited, including the right to freedom of expression and the right to assembly. 

This document includes significant rights, such as the right to assembly, which I believe is essential for every citizen. Because through these two rights, you can practice other rights. If those two rights are taken from any citizen, then other rights will also be taken as a result.

We didn't have other rights in my country, but with those two important rights, I said to myself, 'Okay, I have these important rights in the Constitution, so I can practice them regardless of whether the government accepts them or not. I am exercising my constitutional rights. 

So, because of that, I started my journey as a journalist, writing very strong articles against the dictator. When anyone tried to blame me, I would respond, 'I am exercising my constitutional rights.' Because of this, I established my organization called 'Women Journalists Without Borders' at that time. 

By the way, I was young, like most of you, and I’m still young now (laughing). When I started my organization, 'Women Journalists Without Borders,' the authoritarian government and the dictator himself were very afraid and upset. He said, 'Wow, she’s causing a lot of trouble as just a journalist. 

What will happen now that she is planning to establish an international organization called Women Journalists Without Borders?' We obtained our license at that time. But when they realized what was happening, the government closed the organization and revoked our license. 

They told me that if I wanted to establish an organization, I should create a different one—not one focused on women, not for journalists, and not 'Without Borders.' They said, 'Please come to us.' They even called me in through National Security, offering to help me establish this new organization. 

They said they could finance me and provide a new license. "I told them, 'No, I don't need you. I don’t need your license. Whether you give me the license or not, I will practice my constitutional rights.' So, I established a new organization called 'Women Journalists Without Chains.'

When we talk about freedom of expression, we mean the freedom to speak, write, print, own media outlets, and practice demonstrations, sit-ins, and movements. I practiced all of this, including demonstrations and sit-ins. They told me, 'You need to obtain a license, as the law states that you must get permission from the government and security to hold citizen gatherings or demonstrations.'"

I told them, 'Am I crazy to ask for your permission? First, you won’t grant it. Second, you want me to help you limit my constitutional rights. The constitution tells me that I only need to inform you, not ask for permission. I will simply notify you that we are going to this place or that for a sit-in or demonstration, so you can fulfill your duty to ensure the safety of the demonstrators.

I will not ask for your permission, nor will I do what political parties do. Most political parties indirectly support you, even if they are in opposition, because they accept these limitations on the constitution.

I organized many sit-ins and demonstrations every Tuesday in front of the cabinet from 2006 until 2011, when we announced the peaceful revolution in Yemen. Before the peaceful revolution, I practiced my constitutional rights and convinced the Yemeni people that this is the only way to fight for human rights and to advocate for any legal demands they may have.

Yes, we belong to a society that owns more than 70 million pieces of weaponry, but it's not about weapons or violence. Those are not the only solutions for taking your rights or demanding change. There is another way—a peaceful movement. Raise your voice, go to the streets with flowers, and reject violence. Teach people how to use nonviolence by practicing demonstrations and sit-ins.

In the beginning, it was very hard. I was literally the only one—often considered the 'crazy woman' by the dictator, who would say, 'Don’t listen to her; she’s just a woman. Society won’t follow her.' They didn’t accept the role of women in general, let alone a 'crazy woman' calling for people to rise against him. But that’s exactly what I did. I went to the streets, urging many people to join me in raising their voices to save Yemen.

I visited universities many times, standing in front of the students’ gates, telling them, 'Wake up! We have to save Yemen!' With a small microphone, typically used in Yemen to sell tomatoes and potatoes, I started alone. Then millions of Yemeni men and women followed my call for justice, freedom, equality, and democracy. Millions became leaders themselves. 

I initiated the movement for freedom of expression, freedom of opinion, freedom of the press, and the right to access basic needs like health and education. I fought against terrorism and corruption, armed only with my pen and my microphone.

Again, what did I do? I demonstrated citizen leadership through the Constitution. This is what I urge you, young men and women, and every citizen here, to do: practice your citizen leadership through your great Constitution. This is the South African Constitution, and you are celebrating its 30th anniversary—congratulations to South Africa on this significant milestone!

This is one of the best constitutions in the world, and you must take care of it. When I practiced my citizen leadership through my Constitution, I relied on a few key articles. Unfortunately, many other articles were manipulated by the dictator to serve his interests, allowing him to maintain authority and evade accountability.

So, I relied on just a few very important articles in my Constitution. What about you? You have a remarkable Constitution, forged by the sacrifices of your fathers, mothers, grandfathers, and grandmothers. This Constitution is something you should protect and defend. You must care for the hope that it represents, ensuring it is implemented every day, every minute, every second. This is your fight.

Do not say, 'What has this Constitution given us?' or 'What has democracy given us?' No, it is not the fault of democracy or the Constitution; the fault lies in how democracy is practiced and how your great Constitution is implemented. 

When I hear some youth express hopelessness, I feel a deep concern. You betray the blood of your ancestors and your own future when you doubt your democracy or your Constitution. Your mission is clear: protect South Africa’s democracy, defend your Constitution, and inspire others around the world with your nonviolent movement. 

Show how you uphold your Constitution and transform it from mere text into reality, ensuring that the government and all authorities respect it. Work for the implementation of your Constitution, and do not allow any legislation to undermine it. This is what has happened in many countries; great constitutions exist, yet laws have been enacted against them.

Your Constitution is great because it contains a detailed Bill of Rights that guarantees economic, social, political, and cultural rights. It includes clear articles that ensure equality and prevent any form of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, social position, and more. Additionally, it has a clear article that guarantees the separation of the judicial system, which is very important.

This is very important. Your Constitution includes many clear articles, and one of the key issues I have fought for—and continue to fight for—is accountability. Those in power must be held accountable by the people. The accountability provisions in your Constitution are notable. From your president and ministers to all high officials, you have the means to hold them accountable through Parliament, the judicial system, and various other tools.

No one has immunity under this strong legislation, which is your Constitution. So, do you hold them accountable? This is a very important question. Is there any shortage in the Constitution? No. Are you practicing your right to hold them accountable?

So, for the young people, you have a strong foundation to defend Africa, and South Africa in particular, as well as your Constitution. You have many tools at your disposal, but you also face significant challenges. One of the key challenges is the gap between the implementation of your rights and what is guaranteed in the Constitution.

You need to take action to make this country great because it deserves it. Another significant issue is the gap between the rich and the poor, not just in Africa or South Africa, but everywhere on the planet. However, this gap is more pronounced here than in many other places.

Globalization has contributed to this disparity, creating a significant divide between wealthy and impoverished countries and people. We must work to narrow this gap between rich and poor nations.

I always advocate that wealthy countries should be required to contribute a significant percentage of their national income to poorer countries through a binding mechanism, whether via the UN or other international bodies. This funding is essential for development, combating poverty, and addressing climate change. Unfortunately, there is currently no effective binding mechanism in place, especially within the UN, which lacks the power to enforce such obligations. This is a critical issue here in Africa.

You have to narrow the very big gap between rich and poor people through effective mechanisms. These mechanisms should ensure the safety and stability of the country. This may include fair taxes or any implementation that leads to wealth redistribution, guaranteeing social justice and access to all services, especially education and health. You have a significant victory in your history, but you also face challenges.

Who can do it? You should say, 'I am responsible for solving the problems around me.' This sense of responsibility is key to addressing the challenges in your society. Do you think you are weak and unable to make a difference? You are wrong, especially the youth. You have the potential to create change in South Africa, Africa, and around the world. 

You should be grateful for the opportunities available to you now, especially in this rapid technological revolution. "You have social media, you have platforms, and you have a Constitution. You have the tools you need.

So don’t say that you can’t do it—you can! I am a woman from a conservative city in Yemen. I started my journey alone, and people laughed at me, thinking I was crazy. But I did it, and I still believe I can continue. After the great peaceful revolution, when I was taken to prison and later released, a European friend visited my organization. He told me, 'Please stop. You are alone; don’t do this.'

They will arrest you again. Many people won’t believe you or follow you; they are in a poor country, focused only on survival. You will be alone—you will die alone. I told him, 'Mark, listen, I see it. I believe that I will lead the streets in Yemen, with women and men united in one chant against the dictator, Ali.'

When I took to the streets during the revolution, my voice reached millions of Yemeni people. We gathered, and I sat in a tent for nine months, from February until the dictator's resignation in November. 

Before that, I was announced as a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and the dictator resigned in November 2011. This happened not just because I believed in myself and my leadership, but also because I believed in the Yemeni people. 

Don’t underestimate your people. Don’t say they don’t understand, or that they are poor and uninformed. You are not alone; your voice just hasn’t reached them yet. You are not alone—convince them of their cause and purpose in life. Many people took to the streets with one chant to force the dictator to resign, and he did. 

We didn’t imagine that, with 70 million pieces of weaponry, we wouldn’t use a single one against him. He resigned because of our singing, chanting, and our willingness to stand in front of his violence. After he resigned, our first mission was to write a new constitution, one that we discussed in relation to the South African Constitution.

We discussed this constitution as a model to follow, and we achieved a significant victory during that transition period, despite all the mistakes that occurred. We wrote a strong draft of the constitution, but then something happened. Those who were afraid of a strong protector for the people staged a coup. They did this because they didn’t want us to succeed. We were just days away from taking that draft of the constitution to a referendum.

They wanted to stop this important step. A racist militia, which is still afraid of this constitution, waged a military coup. When I read about how South Africa suffered from discrimination, it resonates deeply. We in Yemen are now suffering from this kind of discrimination because of the Houthi militia. They are racist and continue to divide the country based on race in the territories they control. 

We are still struggling for our freedom, justice, and democracy. After battling the dictator, we now face another fight against this racist group and contend with the occupation by Saudi Arabia and the Emirates. This is a significant challenge for all who truly strive and dream for freedom and justice. It hasn’t come easy.

Our great revolution is now followed by a counter-revolution led by Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and Iran. These three countries do not want democracy in the Arab region. Democracy stands as a challenge to all those authoritarian regimes. As I said yesterday, democracy is the solution for freedom, justice, and for ending wars and conflicts. We must work very hard to achieve this democracy.

Another challenge we face is the conspiracy from outside forces. On one hand, there are Western countries, and on the other, authoritarian regimes. While some Western democratic countries claim they will protect democracy, many participate directly or indirectly with dictators.

You are facing similar challenges here in Africa, including the legacy of colonial powers that protect those dictators. As I mentioned yesterday, I want to emphasize again that democracy does not clash with sovereignty; they are two sides of the same coin. If any military coup leaders try to convince you that they are making a coup for the sake of sovereignty, tell them they are lying because they are not the solution.

The solution must come from you. You have to protect your democracy because there is no real democracy under military rule. This is what we are facing in our countries. For example, Egypt and Sudan are experiencing similar struggles. Sudan is facing a civil war due to the military coup that conspired against the youth revolution.

In Tunisia, there was a constitutional coup against the will of the people. You must fight to defend your democracy. You are the solution—not the military, not China, not Russia, and not the so-called democratic Western countries that claim they will bring you democracy while supporting dictators and helping them steal your wealth.

You must establish strong partnerships with countries that truly serve the interests of your nation—partnerships, not a new form of enslavement. Finally, I want to express my deep gratitude to South Africa—as a country, its people, government, media, and organizations. Thank you for your support of Palestine. 

You have done remarkable work by taking the bold step to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against the Palestinian people. This is truly admirable.

I expected this step from countries that claim to support democracy, but when it came from South Africa—who has faced many challenges—it truly exemplifies bravery. This is the real meaning of solidarity and compassion for others. I encourage you to be proud of this, regardless of whether you are from the ruling party or the opposition.

This is something you should be very proud of. You, the current generation, need to hold your heads high and say, 'We belong to the generation that holds Israel accountable for committing genocide against the Palestinian people.' You must be proud and unafraid, continuing this effort. Many countries are following your example, so keep pushing for justice.

Continue this method; injustice cannot persist. The future of this world lies in justice, freedom, and democracy. Believe me, as long as there is injustice, discrimination, tyranny, and oppression, there will be great people rising to challenge it.

Brave people will stand up against injustice, willing to sacrifice to achieve justice, democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Thank you so much! Thank you, thank you, thank you!