The South African Human Rights Commission is launching its enquiry into the Human Rights situation in farming communities in Mpumalanga / Eastern Cape/ Western Cape/ Northern Province/ and KwaZuluNatal. The aim of the launch is to make known the intentions of the Commission about the enquiry at provincial level and to also encourage participation by all role players.

The reports about farmer brutality towards their workers, murders of farmers, shocking employment and living conditions, massive child labour have dominated South African Agriculture in recent years creating the perception of a troubled sector. Whilst the Commission recognises the uniqueness of farming communities it remains concerned about the persistence of human rights violations in this sector. Private individuals own the majority of the farms and if the approach of limiting the respect for human rights to the state were to be adopted, then millions of South Africans would be exposed to danger. Thus the Commission has initiated a project of this nature.

The launch forms part of the first phase of the first phase of the HRC’s national enquiry into human rights in farming communities. The subsequent 4 phases will be completed by June 2002 and include research into patterns of human rights violation, written submissions from the public, a national conference, and training programmes to promote human rights in farming communities.

Commissioners responsible for the different provinces will preside over the launches:

Western Cape 19/07/01 13:00-14:30 SAHRC office (Cape Town)
Commissioner Leon Wessels

Eastern Cape 20/07/01 12:00-13:30 City Hall (Port Elizabeth)
Commissioner Tom Manthata

Northern Province 20/07/01 12:00-14:00 Mankweng Auditorium
Commissioner Jody Kollapen

Mpumalanga 24/07/01 11:00-13:00 Valencia Hall (Valencia Park)
Commissioner Charlotte McClain

Free State 27/07/01 10:00-11:45 Indaba Hall (Municipality Offices)
Commissioner Jerry Nkeli

KwaZulu Natal 06/07/01 12:00-14:30 Natal College of Education (Pietermaritzburg)
Commissioner Karthy Govender

Issued by: South African Human Rights Commission, Johannesburg
Date: 19 July 2001

For more information contact: Phumla Mthala (Media Liaison for SAHRC)
Tel: (011) 484-8300/ 0832883339

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