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Attention: Editors and Reporters
On 18 July 2019 the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) together with the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF) will host a civil society and media engagement in preparation of the official launch of the National Mechanism for Torture Prevention (NPM) in Cape Town. The recent establishment of the NPM under the auspices of the SAHRC represents an important first step in renewed efforts to combat and prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in all places of detention across South Africa.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
17 July 2019
The SAHRC will host various public outreach engagements in the Local Emthanjeni Municipality, which consist of the towns De Aar, Hanover & Britstown, from 22-25 July 2019.
17 July 2019
On 28 March 2019, both houses of Parliament ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). The OPCAT establishes international and domestic mechanisms for torture prevention through a system of regular visits to places of deprivation of liberty in order to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. South Africa deposited the instrument of ratification of the OPCAT with the Secretary-General of the United Nations in New York on 20 June 2019. In accordance with article 28 (2), the OPCAT will come into force for South Africa on 20 July 2019.
16 July 2019
As part of the 2019 Schools Moot Court Competition, the North West Provincial Office will be hosting capacity building workshops aimed at empowering both learners and educators in preparation to partake in the national competition later in the year. The workshops are expected to create awareness on how the Constitution and the law work through court process to protect, demonstrate and promote respect of fundamental human rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
On 17 July 2019 the South African Human Rights Commission will host a colloquium on evictions in Gauteng with a view to craft practical and implementable solutions to address unlawful evictions in the province.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
08 July 2019
The South African Human Rights Commission (“Commission”) KZN Provincial Office will conduct information sessions and setup helpdesks at the community workshops hosted by the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs: Consumer Affairs Division, in the areas of Utrecht and Molweni.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
08 July 2019
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will host an advocacy intervention and a media engagement in Kwa-Nongoma from the 11-12 July 2019.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
05 July 2019
As part of the 2019 Schools Moot Court Competition, the Mpumalanga Provincial Office will be hosting a capacity building workshop aimed at empowering both learners and educators in preparation to partake in the national competition later in the year. The workshop is expected to create awareness on how the Constitution and the law work through court process to protect, demonstrate interconnectedness and promote respect of fundamental human rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights.
02 July 2019
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) will convene a Preliminary Inquiry into allegations that medical aid schemes are racially profiling Black, Indian and Coloured Healthcare professionals.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 2 July 2019
Today the 2nd June 2019, the Grahamstown High Court granted the application of the South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC or Commission) to join as an amicus curiae in the matter of Centre for Child Law and 25 others v Minister of Basic Education and 4 others.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
1 July 2019
An application will be heard in the Grahamstown High Court for the admission of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) as an amicus curiae in the matter of Centre for Child Law and 25 others v Minister of Basic Education and 4 others, tomorrow, on the 2nd July 2019. This ground-breaking case concerns the ability of undocumented learners to access to their right to a basic education.
28 June 2019
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) is deeply concerned that municipalities are not improving in their audit outcomes. On Wednesday 27 June 2019, the Auditor-General, Mr Kimi Makwetu released the MFMA 2017-18 report on the local government audit outcomes. The report reveals a regression in the audit outcomes. The Commission continues to share the Auditor-General’s frustration that despite previous reports containing recommendations, the majority of municipalities have been slow in implementing the recommendations of the Auditor-General, with some blatantly disregarding the recommendations of the Auditor-General.
28 June 2019
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) visited twenty seven (27) police stations across all nine (9) provinces, country-wide on 26 June 2019 to mark the day designated as the International Day Against Torture. The Commission inspected the conditions under which persons who are detained in those police stations were held and engaged with the South African Police Service (SAPS) authorities in the process. This was a first initiative in visiting places of detention for the Commission, to mark the international day in support of victims of torture and it proved to be a great success. The Commission appreciates the support received from and commends Stations Commanders for their assistance.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
28 June 2019
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) welcomes the judgment handed down on 27 June 2019 by the High Court sitting in Johannesburg in the National Credit Regulator v Standard Bank (South African Human Rights Commission intervening as amicus curiae), a matter relating to the interpretation of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005 (“NCA”).
Attention: Editors and Reporters
26 June 2019
Tomorrow, 27 June 2019, the Randburg Magistrates’ Court sitting as the Equality Court will hear the South African Human Rights Commission’s (“the Commission”) hate speech case against Mr Angelo Agrizzi. This application by the Commission follows Mr Agrizzi’s testimony at the State Capture Commission of Inquiry in which he admitted to using racial slurs.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
25th June 2019
Today, 26 June 2019, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ Commission) marks the International Day in Support for the Victims of Torture. The significance of this day is traced back to 26 June, 1987 when the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) came into force. The UNCAT is the main international mechanism which proclaimed the absolute prohibition of torture in binding international law instrument. Similarly, this absolute prohibition has been entrenched in section 12 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
24 June 2019
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will host advocacy and outreach interventions in the Laingsburg Local Municipality from 25-28 June 2019.
Date: 24 June 2019
The South African Human Rights Commission will conduct a site inspection of the Dr George Mukhari Hospital on Tuesday, 25 June 2019, following a complaint lodged by the Public Servants Association alleging the neglect of patients and ill treatment of hospital staff by hospital management.
21 June 2019
Attention: Reporters and Editors
On 24 June 2019, the South African Human Rights Commission (“The Commission”) will conduct a public outreach engagement in Ekangala, Bronkhorstspruit.
20 June 2019
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South Africa Human Rights Commission (Gauteng Provincial Office), will attend a sampling session with the City of Tshwane and the Department of Water & Sanitation in Hammanskraal on Thursday, 20 June 2019, in a bid to resolve the drinking water quality issues in the area.
About us
Understanding PAIA
The Human Rights Commission is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy. It is committed to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.
Sentinel House, Sunnyside Office Park, 32 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
011 877 3600 (Switchboard)