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15th June 2016
Conclusion of Hearings on: Impact Of Protest-Related Actions on the Right to a Basic Education in South Africa
As South Africa prepares to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Soweto student uprising of June 1976, the country finds itself facing critical questions about how we balance our democratic right to protest with the constitutional right of children to education.
Attention: Editor and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) welcomes the judgment handed down on 8 June 2016 by the High Court in Pretoria in the matter of Residents of Arthurstone Village v Amashangana Tribal Authority and Others. The High Court found in favour approximately 150 residents who were evicted from a piece of communal land known as the Arthurstone Farm in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga Province. They were evicted and homes demolished at the behest of their traditional council, the Amashangana Tribal Authority. The eviction and demolition of homes had a devastating effect on the evicted women, children and older persons. They were traumatised by the loss of their homes, rendered destitute and caused serious hardships as well as socio-economic challenges.
Attention: Editor and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission held a conciliation meeting on 7 June to conclude its investigation into a hate speech complaint against Western Cape resident, Matthew Theunissen. Theunissen engaged in a racist Facebook rant which went viral on social media. The matter was reported to the SAHRC on 3 May and given the nature of the complaint the Commission investigated the matter as an own initiative investigation.
Two years ago during protests in Malamulele in Limpopo, at least 5 schools were set alight. The Commission understands that those schools have still not been repaired. In October 2014, protests relating to access to water broke out in Zeerust, North West Province. During these protests, children were barred from attending school. The protests took place close to the examination period and the barring of children from attending school jeopardized examination preparations by matriculants. The North West Province also experienced protests in June 2013, February 2015, and in June 2016 protests in Majakaneng village resulted in closure of schools. This trend is prevalent across almost all provinces in the country.
Attention: Editor and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has noted with concern the increase in the killing of members of political parties in the build-up to the Local Government Elections, which are to be held in early August this year.
Africa Day is commemorated annually on 25 May to mark the day when the Organisation of African Unity (now known as the African Union) was formed in 1963 in acknowledgement of the solidarity and unity of countries across the African continent.
Wednesday 5 May 2016
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) condemns the burning of schools in Vuwani District in Limpopo Province affecting tens of thousands of learners.
On 28th & 29th April 2016 the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in partnership with the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF) and the SA Police Services (SAPS) will, host a Dialogue on Policing and Human Rights
Attention: Editor and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) would like to convey is condolences to the family and friends of Sikhosiphi (Bazooka) Rhadebe, the Chairperson of the Amadiba Crisis Committee, who was gunned down at his home on Tuesday, 22 March 2016. Mr. Rhadebe was a selfless human rights activist, who was murdered in the most cowardly way.
Attention: Editor and Reporters
The year 2015 marked an important 20 year landmark in the protection and promotion of human rights in South Africa.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Introduction
a. Good morning Chairperson and fellow members of the Human Rights Committee. The South African Human Rights Commission extends its appreciation for the opportunity to present to the Committee and share our views on the state of human rights, and particularly civil and political rights, in South Africa.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will be participating in the review of South Africa’s report under the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) next week in Geneva.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) is finalizing its report into the 31 complaints lodged against the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini (King) at a moral regeneration event in Pongola, northern KwaZulu-Natal on or about the 15th March 2015.
24 February 2016
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission expresses concern over reports of violent acts of racism between students and workers of the University of the Free State, and the University of Pretoria.
24th February 2016
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) is finalizing its report into the 31 complaints lodged against the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini (King) at a moral regeneration event in Pongola, northern KwaZulu-Natal on or about the 15th March 2015.
19th February 2016
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission formally acknowledges receipt of the petition on racism from the African National Congress (ANC).
3rd December 2015
Attention: Editors and Reporters
As the world marks the International Disability Day, the South African Human Rights Commission calls on all the employers, both in private sector and government, to do more to recruit, retain and upskill persons living with disabilities in South Africa.
2nd December 2015
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) welcomes the judgment handed down by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) on 2 December 2015 in the case of Minister of Basic Education and others vs Basic Education for All and others, and congratulates Section 27 in leading the process of initiating proceedings in this matter.
01st December 2016
ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) today wrote to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane requesting information in order to understand why South Africa voted No to an important United Nations General Assembly resolution that reiterates the need for human rights defenders to be protected.
MEDIA STATEMENT
27th November 2015
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) has completed its preliminary investigation into the alleged utterances by the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini. The utterances are alleged to have been made by the King during a moral regeneration event in Pongola northern KwaZulu-Natal on or about the 15th March 2015.
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)