The Minister of Education, Professor Kader Asmal, has asked the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to conduct an inquiry into initiation practices at schools and tertiary institutions. The SAHRC and Department of Education has received a number of complaints as result of initiation practices in institutions of learning. The practices take many forms including assault, forced attendance of certain activities, wearing and not wearing certain clothes, pulling of private parts, forced shaving of hair, body painting, walking in public naked, the list is endless. Some of these activities have led to the loss of life. These practices are dehumanising, degrading and in direct contravention of the Bill of Rights.

The SAHRC has appointed Commissioners, Charlotte McClain, Pansy Tlakula, and Leon Wessels to lead this inquiry. After a discussion with Minister of Education, Professor Kader Asmal, it was decided to invite further written submissions and complaints from the members of the public, learners, students, parents, and governing bodies.

The above mentioned Commissioners will also be visiting schools, colleges and universities, where it has a reason to believe that such a visit will inform the final report which will be handed to the Minister in September.

Submissions can be forwarded by the 30th of June 2001 to the following address: Legal Services South African Human Rights Commission Private Bag 2700 Houghton 2041 Fax (011) 484 1360

Issued by the: South African Human Rights Commission, Johannesburg Date: 31 May 2001

For more information contact:

Phumla Mthala Tel: 011-484 8300/ 0832883339

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