Attention: Editors and Reporters

Tuesday, 23 October 2017

The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or Commission) has noted, with great concern, the raid, arrest and detention of human rights defenders who were holding a meeting on 17th October 2017 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The Commission understands that at the time of their arrest, these individuals were meeting to explore the possibility of mounting legal challenges to the government’s ban on drop-in centres serving key populations at risk of HIV, as well as the ban on water-based lubricants, an essential HIV prevention tool. These human rights defenders have since been accused of promoting homosexuality, leading to their arrest and detention for merely attempting to assist others in the realisation of fundamental human rights.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

23 October 2017

The SAHRC’s Gauteng provincial office will be hosting a provincial indaba on access to housing for migrants in Gauteng cities. The purpose of the indaba is to create a platform for actors from various sectors to discuss and provide a structured response to the issue of access to housing for migrants. It is hoped that a multi-sectorial approach to the issue will accelerate the progressive realisation of the right to adequate housing.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

22 October 2017

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) in partnership with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development will conduct an outreach clinic/ roadshow in the uMhlathuze Local Municipality from 23 – 27 October 2017. The following areas will be visited viz. Mzingazi, Nseleni, Esikhawini, Ngwelezane and Dlangezwa (Vulindlela).  

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Thursday, 20 October 2017

African Human Rights Day is celebrated on the 21 October annually in commemoration of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (the “African Charter”), which came into force on that day in 1985.  

Event: Africa Human Rights Day Venue:  SAHRC Training Centre, Forum 3, Braampark, 33 Hoofd Street, Braamfontein
Date:    Friday, 20 October 2017
Time:    09:45-13:30

R.S.V.P: Tshepo Legodi: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel: 011 492 1103

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Thursday, 19 October 2017

Like the rest of the nation, the South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or Commission) is shocked by recent reports of sexual violence directed against children, in schools across South Africa. One of these reports is of particular concern as it indicates that 87 children were molested, sexually harassed or otherwise sexually assaulted by a 57 year old school patroller at AB Xuma Primary School in Soweto. The Commission is deeply concerned that this abuse occurred over such a protracted period, that so many children report that they were sexually abused during this time and that the school authorities were either not aware of or ignored the then ongoing abuse. A further report has emerged over the past weekend, of a 17 year old learner who had been raped by a patroller in a separate incident in Pretoria. The Gauteng Department of Education has indicated that at least five separate incidents are under investigation, in Gauteng Province alone.   

Attention: Editors and Reporters

19 October 2017

The South African Human Rights Commission’s Eastern Cape Provincial Office will be hosting a media networking session.

18 October 2017

Questions relating to the safety of children in the North West are mounting after Social Development MEC Hoffman Galeng’s comment that children in impoverished communities such as Ratlou Municipality are at risk from human traffickers.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

18 October 2017

The South African Human Rights Commission’s Mpumalanga Provincial Office will be commemorating International Day for the Elderly at Mashishing, Thaba Chweu Local Municipality. The commemoration is hosted under the theme: “Stepping into the Future: Tapping the Talents, Contributions and Participations of Older Persons in Society.”

Attention: Editors and Reporters

17 October 20178

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) in collaboration with the Commission for Gender Equality will host of public outreach clinic (17-18 October 2017) in the Moqhaka Local Municipality. The public outreach clinic will be hosted under the theme ‘Amplifying human rights education in rural and farming communities’.