1 April 2020

ATT: Editors and Reporters

The Commissioners and staff of the South African Human Rights Commission are deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Gita Ramjee.

The Commission learnt with shock and sadness that Prof. Gita Ramjee passed away in a Durban hospital Tuesday. At the time of her death, Ramjee worked at health care organisation Aurum Institute, which is regarded as a global authority on HIV and TB prevention and eradication. She was Chief Scientific Officer at the Aurum Institute and former chief specialist scientist and director of the South African Medical Research Council’s (SAMRC) HIV Prevention Research Unit.

31 March 2020

ATT: Editors and Reporters

In accordance with its mandate, the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or SAHRC) continues to monitor the observance of human rights during the national lockdown due to COVID-19. The Commission is aware of and is disturbed by footage circulating via social media depicting members of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) and South African Police Service (SAPS) officials using force against people who fail to comply with lockdown regulations.

27 March 2020

ATT: Editors and Reporters

In a victory to uphold the right to life, the North Gauteng Division of the High Court, sitting in Pretoria, has granted the application of the South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) on Thursday, 26 March 2020, which sought an order declaring that the State should protect the right of a complainant to life.  

25 March 2020

ATT: Editors and Reporters

 The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) notes the devastating impact that the Corona Virus can have on the lives of many, many people in the country as well as the unimaginable terrible effects thereof on life in general, if the pandemic is not boldly and wholeheartedly tackled and stopped.

21 March 2020

ATT: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or SAHRC) wishes all the inhabitants of South Africa a happy Human Rights Day. The National Human Rights Day, which is celebrated in South Africa on the 21st day of March of every year, is the most important day not only for the Commission but more importantly for those who call South Africa home.

20 March 2020

ATT: Editors and Reporters

Like other entities in the country, the South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) is deeply concerned by the spread of infections by the COVID-19 virus in the country and would like to contribute in every possible manner towards arresting the spread and eliminating the pandemic. We feel for and pledge support to those who have tested positive. The Commission stands in solidarity with them and their families and friends and wishes them a speedy and complete recovery.

19 March 2020

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) will be launching the Gauteng State of Human Rights Report (online).

Attention: Editors and Reporters

11 March 2020

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) Northern Cape Provincial Office will host Public Outreach Engagements and a Human Rights Dialogue from 11-13 March 2020.

09 March 2020

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) has decided to conduct an inquiry on violent attacks targeted towards non-national long distance trucks drivers.

4 March 2020

ATT: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) with assistance from the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) will be hosting a workshop on the “Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and Human Rights: Challenges and Opportunities for National Human Rights Institutions”

2 March 2020

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

The Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, Adv. Bongani Majola, will be conducting a provincial visit in the Free State Province from Monday, 2 March 2020 to Wednesday, 4 March 2020. The purpose of this visit is to inspect and assess the status of the public health care facilities in the province.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

1 March 2020

The SAHRC Western Cape provincial office will tomorrow be launching a court application against Beloftebos wedding venue at the Western Cape High Court (Equality Court). This comes after several complaints received by the SAHRC against the wedding venue for allegedly discriminating against same sex couples refusing them to rent the venue for same-sex weddings.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

27 February 2020

The Limpopo provincial office will be hosting a Human Rights Dialogue on tribalism and diversity in Polokwane, on 03 March 2020, at Park inn Hotel.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

27 February 2020

The Western Cape provincial office working in collaboration with Sizakuyenza Centre for Women and CESVI to host a dialogue on gender based violence.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

26 February 2020

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) Northern Cape Provincial Office will host Public Outreach Engagement on the issue of Human Trafficking on 27 & 29 February 2020.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

26 February 2020

The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”), Mpumalanga Provincial Office (MPO) will be hosting a media press dialogue discussion under the theme: “Media Informs, Educates and Transforms the Public.”

Attention: Editors and Reporters

24 February 2020

On 24-27 February 2020, the South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) Western Cape Provincial Office working in collaboration with various municipalities in the Garden Route District will be hosting stakeholder and public outreach engagements in the district. This will entail visits to a number of municipalities in the district, namely: George, Knysna and Bitou. The engagements are centred on the theme: “Deepening Human Rights Education and strengthening stakeholder relations”.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

24 February 2020

The Mpumalanga Provincial Office (MPO) in collaboration with the Nkomazi LGBTIQ+, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and Nkomazi Local Municipality will host an information session to educate students about human rights and the rights of the Lesbians Gays Bisexuals Transgender Intersexual Queer+ (LGBTIQ+) persons.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

24 February 2020

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Office and the Free State Provincial Office will jointly host/ conduct a cross boarder roadshow near or adjacent to the KwaZulu-Natal - Free State border on the 23 – 28 February 2020.

19 February 2020

ATT: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) is deeply disturbed by and condemns the brutal murder of 23 year old, gay rights activist and musician, Lindokuhle Cele. Cele was stabbed twenty one times in full view of the public at an uMlazi butchery, in KwaZulu-Natal, on the 6th February 2020.