Human Rights Commission to launch 5th Economic and Social Rights Report

The South African Human Rights Commission will launch its Fifth Annual Economic and Social Rights Report On 21 June 2004. The Constitution has tasked the Commission with a specific mandate to advance social and economic rights. In particular, Section 184(3) requires that éach year the Commission must require relevant organs of State to provide information on measures they have taken towards the realization of the rights in the Bill of Rights concerning housing; healthcare, food, water, social security, education, and the environment. The Commission then publishes, annually, Economic and Social Rights Reports on the basis of the information so received. These reports are submitted to the National Assembly. The reports also assist the National Assembly in the exercise of its oversight responsibility over the executive branch of government. The South African Human Rights Commission has published four annual economic and social rights reports.

The fifth Annual Economic and Social Rights Report covers the financial year: 2002/2003. Unlike previous reports there has been more consultation in the production of this report. This report was produced through interactions between the report writers, Government officials, civil society representatives and members of the Commission. This has hopefully led to improvements in the accuracy of facts and information, as well as the relevance of the recommendations.

The fifth report like the last report assesses the reasonableness and effectiveness of measures taken by relevant organs of State towards the realization of economic and social rights. This assessment is based on policy, legislative and budgetary measures adopted by relevant organs of state. The report also looks at numerous indicators in order to determine whether the organs of State in question have made satisfactory progress in the realization of economic and social rights.  The report also makes reference to spending patterns by the organs of State, particularly the under spending of funds allocated for essential services like housing, water and basic health care services.

Details of the Launch:
Date: 21 June 2004
Venue: 29 Princesses of Wales Terrace, Corner York and St. Andrews, Parktown
Time: 10am-12pm