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17 May 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC/ Commission) joins the rest of the world to observe International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT). This day was created in 2004 to draw worldwide attention to the continued violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex people and all of those with diverse gender identities or expressions.
16 May 2023
81% of SA Grade 4’s cannot read for meaning in 2021: The South Africa Human Rights Commission (Commission) is deeply concerned about the state of reading in South Africa. The results from the most recent Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) showed that in 2021, 81% of South African Grade 4 learners could not read for meaning in any language. This is up from 78% in 2016. South Africa was ranked last out of the 43 countries and experienced the largest decline of all the countries participating. It is additionally important to note that the South African assessment occurred a year later than most of the countries assessed.
11 MAY 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) in Western Cape is set to meet with the Breede Valley Municipality on the 12th of May 2023. The meeting is part of the investigation into a complaint against Municipality that was received from a community member regarding unavailability of services in the area for the past 5 years.
11 May 2023
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) notes with grave concern the recent media reports on the alleged crisis relating to the administration of the school nutrition programme in the Eastern Cape. It has been reported that learners in the Eastern Cape have gone for almost a month without receiving meals at school due to a delay of allocation of funds.
11 May 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) in Limpopo is set to meet with the Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba on the 12th of May 2023. The meeting is part of the investigation into the complaints against MEC that were received from a number of individuals and institutions regarding utterances made by the MEC directed at a patient at Bela-Bela Hospital in August 2022.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission in Eastern Cape working in partnership with the Eastern Cape Education Department and Fort Hare University will conduct a workshop for schools in the Mdantsane BCM District in preparation for the moot court competition essay rounds.
04 May 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) welcomes the passing by the National Assembly of the Bill amending section 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The aim of this amendment is to recognise South African Sign Language (SASL) as one of the official languages of the Republic. The Commission views the adoption of the Bill as a step in the right direction to promote human rights and specifically the rights of persons who use sign language.
03 May 2023
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) recognises that human rights are not the monopoly of one institution and that a range of institutions, bodies and authorities have an interest in advancing them. Given this, the Commission is therefore obliged to liaise, partner and work with them to ensure that policies and practices are synchronised as far as possible to achieve common objectives where circumstances warrant cooperation.
3 May 2023
ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters
Over the years, the Commission in the North West has received many complaints about unfinished and inadequate RDP houses in the North West. The complaints of unfinished houses include those that were not built beyond the foundation stage, those whose walls were built up to the halfway point, and those which were built to almost completion but are left without the roof. These houses make it impossible for the owners thereof to take occupation. As a result, these houses are vandalized. The complaints of inadequate houses relate to buildings that are inaccessible to persons with disabilities. They also relate to the use of inferior building materials and poor workmanship, and, as a result, this poses safety threats/risks to the livelihoods of the occupiers.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
2 May 2023
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) Western Cape provincial office will be hosting Summit on “UPGRADING OF AND PROVISION OF SERVICES TO INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS IN THE WESTERN CAPE”.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
27 April 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC/ Commission) joins the rest of the country in celebrating Freedom Day. This day recalls that historic day, 29 years ago on 27 April 1994 when scores of people young and old stood in long queues to experience for the first time the Constitutional right to vote alongside their previously enfranchised countrymen and women.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
25 April 2023
Today, 25 April 2023, is the Africa Pre-Trial Detention Day. This day is dedicated to raise awareness of the plight of persons who are held for prolonged periods without trial in police cells and correctional centres/prisons across Africa. This date coincides with the adoption by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights of the Guidelines on Arrest, Police Custody and Pre-Trial Detention ('the Luanda Guidelines'). The Luanda Guidelines require States to strengthen national systems and practices relating to arrest, police custody and pre-trial detention by highlighting the significance of a human rights-based criminal justice system.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
25 April 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC/ Commission) has issued a final investigative report in the matter of Kebaneile Tumelo Phinda and 2 others on behalf of the Residents of Agisanang, Jachtkraal Farm, Delareyville and Letsopa // Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality and Tswaing Local Municipality. The report relates to the consolidated complaints received on 06 September, 08 September and 11 October 2021 regarding the sewer spillages and lack of basic municipal services including water, sanitation and electricity at Agisanang, Jachtkraal Farm, Delareyville and Letsopa.
21 April 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) has noted with concern the growing number of acts of intimidation circulating on social media threatening civil society organisations in the country. Civil society organisations are being targeted for going out of their way to protect the violations of human rights of some of the most vulnerable inhabitants of this country.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
18 APRIL 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission and the Department of Education will be hosting virtual Moot Court preparatory workshops aimed at preparing learners for the National School Moot Court Programme. The Commission and Department of Education collaborates with various institutions of higher education, law firms and professionals who provide training to the learners in preparation for the National School Moot Court Programme.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
17 April 2023
As part of the 2023 National Schools Moot Court Competition (NSMCC), the SAHRC KZN Provincial Office and the KZN Department of Education will be conducting workshops on essay writing. The workshops have been organised into joint education district clusters.
03 April 2023
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission in Gauteng kicks off its Social Harmony Through National Effort (SHINE) initiatives in the month of April 2023. The SHINE initiative is intended to encourage social harmony through national efforts. The Gauteng provincial office theme is “POSITIVE DIALOGUE IS OUR SAVING GRACE” focusing on the importance of dialogue and the sharing of lived experiences through our own narratives.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
27 March 2023
Human Rights Day is observed annually on March 21st to remember and honour those who died in the Sharpeville massacre on that date in 1960. This massacre took the lives of many people protesting against Apartheid pass laws, including children, and left an indelible mark on history. National Human Rights Day is extremely important to the South African Human Rights Commission, which is mandated by the Constitution to monitor, promote, and protect human rights.
27 March 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) wishes to inform the media and members of the public of the appointment of Mr Vusumuzi Mkhize as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective (today) Monday, 27th March 2023.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
27 March 2023
In terms of sections 13(1) (b) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of the South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) Act 40 of 2013, the Commission must develop and conduct educational programmes to foster public awareness and understanding of Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Further, the Commission has a duty to maintain close liaison and institutions with similar objectives in order to foster common policies, practices and to further the objectives and mandate of the Commission. Finally, the Commission may consider recommendations, suggestions and requests concerning the promotion of respect of human rights it may receive from any other source. This includes the media.
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)