Transforming Society
Securing Rights
Restoring Dignity
Media Statement
1. The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) notes the statement released by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).
2. In terms of section 184 of the Constitution, the Commission is mandated to monitor, promote and protect the observance of human rights, as set out in the Bill of Rights, in South Africa. The Commission performs this function independently, on behalf of all South Africans without fear or favour.
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) welcomes the “Report into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of mentally ill patients: Gauteng Province, No Guns: 94+ Silent Deaths And Still Counting”, released by the Health Ombudsman, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba on 1 February 2017.
20 January 2017
ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters
The SAHRC has noted with concern the non-delivery of textbooks and learning materials in Limpopo Province.
In 2012, the Pretoria High Court ordered that all prescribed textbooks and learning materials be delivered.
Tuesday, 17 January 2017
Following a complaint received from a member of the Mfuleni community about learners who had not been accommodated in schools, and concerned by media reports that thousands of learners had not yet been accommodated in other schools in the Western Cape SAHRC Commissioners Andre Gaum and Chris Nissen met with Western Cape Provincial Education Minister, Ms Debbie Schafer, this morning (17th January 2017).
The South African Human Rights Commission has noted with concern media reports of thousands of children who have not yet been placed in schools in the Western Cape and Gauteng.
Tuesday, 10 January 2017
ATTENTION: EDITORS
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) strongly condemns the desecration of places of worship. Recent incidents of concern in the Western Cape include the placing of a pig’s snout on the gate of Noorul Islam Masjied in Simon’s Town on Saturday morning (7th January 2017) and a further incident at the Masjidul-Jamiah in Kalk Bay on Monday (9th January 2017), where the mosque was splattered with blood and Holy Scriptures damaged.
Attention Editors and Reporters
3 January 2016
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) welcomes the arrival of the newly appointed Commissioners who have taken office today, 3rd January 2017.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) and UNICEF will release Global Goals for Every Child: progress and Disparities Among Children in South Africa on 14 December 2016. The report speaks to the status of children in South Africa.
ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) has issued a subpoena to Mr Vusi Shongwe, the Member of Executive Council (MEC), Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, Mpumalanga, to appear in person before the Commission on Friday, 9 December 2016. This notice to appear before the Commission was issued in terms of section 15 (1) (c) of the South African Human Rights Commission Act, No. 40 of 2013.
ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) addressed a sitting of the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) in Parliament on the matter between the African Diaspora Forum and Others v His Majesty, King Goodwill Zwelithini, on the 7 December 2016, at Parliament in Cape Town.
ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters
The 10th of December 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the South African Constitution by then President, Nelson Mandela. On this day, the world will commemorate International Human Rights Day, observed annually in remembrance of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by (the newly formed) United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948. This proclamation was the first global expression of human rights and is globally recognised as one of the first major achievements of the fledgling UN.
ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) recognises progress made in addressing historical inequalities in our public universities, however, patterns of systemic exclusion, marginalisation and discrimination continue to persist.
05 December 2016
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) welcomes President Jacob Zuma’s appointment of Commissioners to serve with effect from 03 January 2017.
On 17 November 2016, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), in partnership with the Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute (SPII), will be hosting a roundtable discussion on budget analysis for advancing socio-economic rights.
Attention Editors
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) strongly condemns the video recording circulated on social media of a man being put into a coffin by two other men who threaten to set him alight in Middelburg, Mpumalanga.
Attention: Editors
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has instituted proceedings in the Seshego Equality Court (Limpopo) on behalf of a transgendered secondary school learner. The case arises from allegations of humiliation and harassment based on the gender identity of the learner that created a hostile and intimidating environment. The proceedings have been instituted to procure relief for alleged unfair discrimination, harassment, and hurtful speech.
ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters
In October 2016, the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) was alerted through media reports of a social media post from Mr Tlou Molele, a mathematics teacher at Northern Academy in Polokwane in which he stated, amongst others that white people will “die inferior” and are “Genetic errors”.
The South African Human Rights Commission.
About us
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.
Braampark Forum 3, 33 Hoofd Street, Braamfontein
011 877 3600 (Switchboard)
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