01 July 2018

According to the United Nation’s 2017 International Migration Report, South Africa is host to an estimated four million migrants. This figure is set against a backdrop of a history of migration into South Africa that was marked by exploitative labour arrangements between South Africa and its neighbouring countries. This history is often treated with a ‘historical amnesia’ of the contribution of migrants to the South African economy and society. Migrants and particularly African migrants are met with a distrust and hostility that appears as xenophobia.

01 July 2018


The two Houses of Parliament, the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), will both be on constituency period starting this week. The NA's constituency programme started on 18 June and will conclude on 13 August while that of the NCOP kicks off tomorrow until 30 July. Constituency work is an important part of the programme of Parliament. It affords Members of Parliament an opportunity to interact with their constituents, report to them on the business of Parliament, as well as intervene and facilitate resolutions to challenges facing communities.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
29 June 2018

On 14 May 2018, the trial proceedings against Respondents who racially abused and allegedly forced a farm worker (assisted by the South African Human Rights Commission) commenced at the Springs Magistrates’’ Court sitting as an Equality Court. At the beginning of the trial, the public and the media were barred from covering the case. After cogent legal submissions by the Commission, the public and the media will now be allowed to cover the hearing from 2 to 5 July 2018.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
29 June 2018

The South African Human Rights Commission (Gauteng Provincial Office) initiated proceedings against Velaphi Khumalo in the South Gauteng High Court, sitting as an Equality Court in November 2016, following a Facebook post by Khumalo that amounted to hate speech. The trial is set to continue on 02 & 03 July 2018.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Wednesday, 27 June 2018

The South African Human Rights Commission (“the SAHRC”) instituted an application in the Equality Court held at the KwaDukuza Magistrates Court on behalf of Pamela MacDougall (“the Applicant”) against Stephanie Odendaal (“the Respondent”), following several offensive, hurtful and discriminatory comments that were made by the Respondent on the social network site, Facebook.  The Respondents comments were based on race and were directed at the Applicant and persons involved and/or engaging in mixed race relationships in general.

27 June 2018

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission’s Limpopo Provincial Office will commemorate Youth month with the Matlala Advice Office. The youth in the Matlala rural areas will be empowered on human rights and responsibilities. The engagement will further serve to strengthen relationships with Advice Offices and explore challenges faced in enjoying human rights.

26 June 2018

There are more refugees in the world than there are people in South Africa. In 2017 UNHCR released statistics that showed that by the end of that year more than 68 million people (11.9 million more than the population of South Africa) would be “forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, or generalised violence”. And South Africa stands accused of amending legislation that amounts to the securitisation of migrants, turning migration into a national security threat.

25 June 2018

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) Gauteng Provincial Office will host a media networking session. The purpose of this session is to develop strategic partnerships with media outlets and explore challenges facing the media in human rights reporting and coverage and the media’s role during human rights violations.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

22 June 2018

The Mpumalanga Provincial Office (MPO) will be hosting a dialogue under the theme: “Youth and LGBTI Rights” to commemorate Youth Day.
The purpose of the dialogue is to promote a culture of tolerance for sexual and gender diversity in society as well as discuss possible tools towards ending violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

                   
Attention: Editors and Reporters

22 June 2018

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will facilitate a capacity building workshop at the KZN Blind and Deaf Society and will also conduct Information Session’s at various Children’s Homes in the Pietermaritzburg area.