lodge complaint button
commissioners button
programmes button
provinces button
publications button
calendar button
fraud hotline button

Media Statement: SAHRC holds follow up meeting with H&M to discuss implementation of plans to address concerns raised as a result of its hoodie advertisement

Attention: Editors and Reporters

6 April 2018

On Wednesday, 28th March 2018, H&M’s country manager to South Africa Mr Pär Darj met with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/Commission) to present H&M’s plans to remedy the effects of its racist sweater advertisement of January 2018 - for which H&M has unreservedly apologised – as well as plans to address concerns raised by the SAHRC during its meeting with H&M on 19 January 2018.

The SAHRC welcomes the steps taken by H&M to address these concerns. The steps taken include amongst others the following:

1)    The appointment of managers on diversity and inclusiveness both at a global and national level;
2)    Commitment to train its managers and staff on the question of transformation and racism;
3)    An undertaking by H&M to submit its internal polices dealing with gender and equality to the Commission; and
4)    An undertaking by H&M to provide progress reports and hold quarterly feedback meetings with the Commission to discuss the implementation of its gender and equality policies.

The Commission will continue to monitor the above commitments.

Engagements between H&M and SAHRC form part of the SAHRC’s broader efforts to address the tenuous relationship between business and human rights.


Ends

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission

For more information, please contact:

Gushwell Brooks - Communications Co-ordinator.  Cell: 082 645 8573 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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)