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Migration The Commission’s work on migration has an impact on children in that the enactment, implementation and any non compliance of migration laws affect migrant children as it does their parents.
The office of Commissioner Malatji has the mandate to promote and protect the rights of persons with disability. Recognizing that children with disability will be unable to participate fully in the society if attitudinal and environmental barriers are not removed, the Commissioner is passionate about ensuring that rights of children with disabilities are protected and promoted.
The South African Government has placed human rights at the heart of its development agenda, and has enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996 the right to an environment that is not harmful to one’s health and wellbeing; and one that is protected for the benefit of present and future generations. This is central to the Government’s sustainable development agenda, and also to Commissioner Janet Love’s portfolio on Environment, Natural Resources, and Rural Development.
The Constitution and the legislation protect vulnerable people (especially children) from being evicted into homelessness. Section 26 of the Constitution seeks to prevent arbitrary evictions. To give effect to that right the Prevention of Illegal Eviction and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (PIE) was enacted. Germane to this analysis is section 4 which prescribes that an eviction order should only be granted if it is ‘just and equitable’. The considerations which the court must have regard to a priori determining that an eviction order is just and equitable are the rights and needs of the “elderly, children and disabled people”.
The SAHRC has received and accepted an unconditional apology by Ms Vivienne Basson who was accused of discrimination on the basis of race and culture following her post of Facebook earlier this year. The apology was received during a conciliation meeting with Ms Basson recently.
With the release of the Living Conditions Survey of 2009, its data indicated wide and deeply worrisome disparities between children living in poverty and children not living in poverty, with respect to full access to such basic needs as water, sanitation, refuse removal, electricity and formal housing. The data also indicated that there were certain groups of children who suffered from such lack to a greater extent and were more deeply mired in poverty than others.
In honouring Ma Albertina Sisulu, I recall the solidarity with which she embraced us in the 1980’s and in SA’s first democratic Parliament, as sisters, daughters and granddaughters.
Attention Editors and Reporters
22 August 2013
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is disappointed at the announcement by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development that the State will not provide funding for the legal representation of the injured and arrested miners in the Marikana Commission of Inquiry.
Transforming society. Securing rights. Restoring dignity
The SAHRC is searching for talented individuals who are committed to shaping the future of South Africa
The SAHRC has embarked on a comprehensive rethinking exercise that involves critical self-reflection, reviewing our performance, and asking difficult questions. One of the consequences of this rethinking process has been the development of a new organisational structure that seeks to attract talented individuals committed to transforming society, securing rights and restoring dignity.
13 August 2013
On Thursday, 15 August 2013, the South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) will be convening a meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education and other key stakeholders in the education sector, at the Commission’s Head Offices. Dr. Kishore Singh was appointed as the Special Rapporteur (expert appointed by the Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme) on the Right to Education in 2010 and has since sought to highlight specificities of thin international right and identify areas of violation of the right. This meeting forms part of a three-day visit to South Africa; during which time Dr Singh will address a joint Committee Meeting of the Pan African Parliament.
Given the high incidence as well as depth of poverty for various groups of children,this assignment seeks to examine the possibility of the existence of the phenomena of poverty traps and social exclusion among South Africa’s children, and the additional national and societal efforts that are needed to break such traps. For the full Terms of Reference in this regard, please click here.
08 March 2013
“South African women still face serious challenges in realising their human rights as enshrined in the Constitution”, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Deputy-Chairperson Pregs Govender said today, 08 March 2013, at the Commissions commemoration the International Women’s Day.
4 March 2013
ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission will commemorate Human Rights month by hosting a National Water and Sanitation Hearing on March 19th in Midrand.
03 March 2013
Interesting Quotes:
“We will be failing the Constitution if the courts and in particular, Equality Courts, are functioning in a way that ordinary citizens have access to courts.” Chairperson Mushwana
o: The Chaslkalson Family
The South African Human Rights Commission has learnt with a deep sense of shock and sorrow of the sudden and untimely passing on of Judge Arthur Chaskalson, the first Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa after its attainment of democracy.
Monday, 17 September 2012
ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission invites members of the media to its provincial water and sanitation hearing which will be held at Ga-Sekhukhune, in Limpopo.
13 September 2012
ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission is an independent Chapter 9 institution subject only to the Constitution and the law. We are accountable to the National Assembly and report on our activities to the Assembly at least once a year.
It is in this context that we had our recent engagement with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice on Tuesday where strong views were expressed by individual members of the committee on the SAHRC's intended inquiry following the events in Marikana.
uesday, 11 September 2012
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) together with the Legal Resources Center (LRC) today appeared in the Supreme Court of Appeals in the matter concerning a hate speech case; wherein Port Elizabeth magistrate, Johan Herselman, referred to a cleaner, Khayalethu Geleba, as a “baboon”.
Monday, 10 September 2012
The SAHRC has noted the article run in the Sunday Times dated 09.09.12. The article as it is framed gives rise to concern as it distorts and provides an incomplete recount of the findings of the SAHRC and the CGE which attempted to respond to the complaint with sensitivity to its many dimensions without compromising the complainant or the rights of women in the process.
07 September 2012
The South African Human Rights Commission is undertaking an investigation into the Marikana bloodbath following a complaint the Commission has received. The complainant a Cape Town-based Non-Governmental Organization, has argued that the national police commissioner Ms Mangwashi Riah Phiyega and the police violated the right to life of the miners, as enshrined in the Bill of Rights.
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.
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011 877 3600 (Switchboard)