Home Contact Us Links FAQ

 

SAHRC Statement on latest developments regarding the Protection of State Information Bill

Date: Friday, 11 May 2012

The South African Rights Commission welcomes the steps taken by State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele to ensure that the Protection of Information Bill passes constitutional muster. The Protection of Information Bill in its current form is unconstitutional and unjustifiably limits people’s basic right to access information. The receptiveness of the Minister to the concerns expressed by the Commission, civil society and the public is commended.

The Commission has provided comprehensive objections to the Bill. In its most recent submissions to the NCOP, the Commission stressed that the Bill must be considered in light of the Constitutional provisions of access to information. The Commission stated that the right to information is pivotal in the realisation of other rights and combating poverty. Facilitating access to information held by public officials’ also impacts on service delivery.  It enables people to participate in the governance processes that affect their lives as well as hold government to account.

Read More 
 Commissioner Mokate_Front panel picture.jpgII.jpg      SAHRC statement delivered by Commissioner Lindiwe Mokate at the 51st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights                     

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) would like to thank the African Commission for this opportunity to deliver a statement at this 51st Session. As South Africa’s constitutionally mandated national human rights institution, it is our responsibility to engage with regional mechanisms at forums such as this one here today in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Click here to view the statement


Human Rights Day, 21 March 2012: Water is life, Sanitation is dignity      

Speech delivered by the SAHRC Deputy Chairperson, Commissioner Pregs Govender during the 2012 Human Rights Day commemoration at the Walter Sisulu Square in Soweto.      

   Comm Govender VI.jpg 

Thank you for inviting the South African Human Rights Commission to contribute to Government’s commemoration at this square named after Walter Sisulu, beloved leader of the ANC and our country. On this site in Kliptown, the Freedom Charter was signed into being, affirming that South Africa belongs to all who live in it.

Click here to view the statement



SAHRC video statement on the Right to Food delivered at the UN Human Rights Council
                             
 Baai Baai.jpg

SA Human Rights Commission video statement on the Right to Food delivered by Commissioner Sandi Baai. The video was aired at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, 06 March 2012.

Click here to view the statement

 

 


Complaints banner on top.jpg

Submission on the Traditional Courts Bill green.jpg

 

SAHRC submission the Protection of State Information Bill.jpg

EVENTS DIARY

Website Announcement Final L.jpg

MEDIA STATEMENTS

SAHRC Statement on latest developments regarding the Protection of State Information Bill
2012-05-11 [Read More]

Racist and discriminatory speech on social media has the potential to undermine social relations
2012-05-07 [Read More]

Media statement regarding the usage of blue lights by the SAPS VIP Protection Unit
2012-04-18 [Read More]

SAHRC launches National Hearing on Water and Sanitation
2012-03-13 [Read More]

2012 Human Rights Month Activities
2012-03-13 [Read More]

Is the 2012-13 National Budget geared towards addressing inequity and poverty?
2012-02-20 [Read More]

SAHRC condemns the reported use of brutal force by police to disperse protesters in Rondebosch
2012-02-01 [Read More]

SAHRC is still continuing with its investigation of a complaint relating to poor water quality and service delivery in the eMalahleni Municipal area in Mpumalanga.
2012-01-27 [Read More]

SAHRC concerned about the homophobic utterances allegedly made by King Goodwill Zwelithini
2012-01-23 [Read More]

Certain private bodies get exempted from submitting PAIA manuals until 2015
2012-01-11 [Read More]

SAHRC condemns reported attacks on two girls at Noord taxi rank
2012-01-06 [Read More]

SAHRC condemns the execution of Ms Janice Linden by the Chinese authorities
2011-12-12 [Read More]

Submission of section 51 manuals in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act
2011-12-09 [Read More]

Statement regarding the Protection of State Information Bill
2011-11-22 [Read More]

Issues relating to Freedom of Expression and Hate Speech come under the spotlight
2011-11-08 [Read More]

 

SAHRC Programmes

Since its establishment, the SAHRC has dedicated itself to:
•  Raising awareness;
•  Monitoring and assessment;
•  Education and training
•  Addressing human rights violations

How can the SAHRC help?

The SAHRC promotes, protects and monitors human rights in South Africa. It also has a specific responsibility to promote and monitor the implemen-
tation of PAIA.

Calendar

01 June – International Children’s Day
05 June – World Environment Day
16 June - Youth Day
20 June – World Refugee Day
11 July – World Population Day

[See more]