The 2-day dialogue will take place at the SAHRC offices in Braamfontein and will bring together policing experts, government, oversight bodies, and civil society. (The programmes with speakers is attached).

The Dialogue comes at the back of the recent report by the United Nations Human Rights Committee, which raised serious concerns about the state of policing in the country.

The UN Committee expressed concerns at the recurrence of police violence during popular protests, including during the Marikana miner’s protests, the death of Andries Tatane, and the Fees Must Fall demonstrations on campuses.  The UN report highlighted the loopholes in the Prevention and Combating of Torture of Persons Act, specifically that it does not provide for civil claims for redress of torture.

The SAHRC has raised similar concerns in its reports to government and the SAPS. We have noted with concern the high number of investigated and/or known deaths in police custody at the hands of law enforcement authorities.

Noting the ongoing concerns also expressed by the UN Committee regarding the use of torture, the SAHRC is currently preparing a report which will be presented in Parliament.
This dialogues also provides an opportunity to take stock of where we are and what needs to be done within our policing system, including those raised by the UN Committee.

The South African Constitution promotes a vision of a human rights compliant policing, and in its reports, including the one on Andries Tatane, the SAHRC has recommended policing based on human rights.

A new policy framework for policing is in Parliament and seeks to address the deficits in both the current legal framework for policing, and in the action and impunity of individual officials. However, a number of critical areas such as demilitarisation, the code of ethics, and the mechanics of proposed new facilities such as the police board - all proposed in South Africa’s National Development Plan - remain under-developed in terms of our understanding and response.

This dialogue on human rights and policing, supported by the European Union, will discuss key issues pertaining to policing and human rights in South Africa, and will contribute towards building a South African consensus on promoting human rights in policing.

The dialogue seeks to, among others,
Create a space for constructive discussion between various stakeholders to engage on human rights-related policing;
Support and encourage South African contributions and inputs into police policy developments;
Encourage stakeholders to share experiences and comparative analysis of human rights in the policing context

The main question would be: “What needs to change to strengthen human rights and policing?”

Delegates will include Amb. Marcus Cornaro: EU Ambassador to South Africa, Minister of Police Hon. Nathi Nhleko, Lt Gen. Khomotso Phahlane: National Police Commissioner, Adv. Vusi Pikoli: Police Ombudsman Western Cape, and members of the civil society and experts.

A draft programme has been attached.

Media is invited to this event which will be held as follows:

Venue:            SAHRC Head Office, Forum 3 Braampark, 33 Hoofd Str, Braamfontein

Date:               28 and 29th April 2016

RSVP to Alucia Sekgathume on 082 689 2364 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Issued by the SA Human Rights Commission

For queries contact Isaac Mangena on 084 926 4269 or SAHRC Spokesperson Gail Smith on 060 988 3792

PLEASE NOTE: Interview requests have to be arranged PRIOR to the event.