HIV AIDS
For a long time, HIV & AIDS was never seen or regarded as a human rights issue. People living with HIV & AIDS are daily subjected to stigmatisation and discrimination in society, the workplace and in accessing government services. The portfolio ensures that the rights of people living with HIV & AIDS are protected, respected and promoted, based on the principle of equality and the inherent rights of all people. The portfolio monitors and oversees the implementation of related policies and to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure that people living with HIV & AIDS enjoy their fundamental rights. Please contact the HIV & AIDS co-ordinator at: SNgobeni@sahrc.org.za for more information.
Child rights
The Commission ensures that children's rights, as enshrined in Section 28 of the Constitution, are promoted, protected and monitored. In order to promote a culture of respect for children's rights, the Commission drives child rights programming through various mechanisms such as legislative and policy monitoring, awareness- raising and through extensive inter-sectoral and multi-sectoral collaboration with key stakeholders such as communities, government departments and civil society. For more information, kindly contact the child rights co-ordinator: jmehlomakulu@sahrc.org.za
Disability
People with disabilities are the largest cross-cutting minority group in any society. They are not a homogenous group but rather a diverse group of varying abilities and needs. People with disabilities are regarded as a vulnerable group due to the inequalities and discrimination faced currently and in the past. The Ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by South Africa last year, is a landmark development towards the transformation of people with disabilities. It is necessary to work in partnership with Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs), Government Departments, Civil Society, Business and individuals in order to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities. The Commission is committed to ensuring the promotion, protection and monitoring of human rights for persons with disabilities. To find out more contact SPillay@sahrc.org.za
Crime
The unacceptably high levels of crime and gratuitous violence in South Africa are undoubtedly impacting negatively on the enjoyment of human rights in South Africa. After unemployment, South Africans of every racial group list crime as their number one concern. The SAHRC seeks to develop a human rights based-response to the current scourge of crime by actively collaborating with all relevant stakeholders and government agencies in order to pursue a sustainable crime-free South Africa. The SAHRC is also actively involved in research on crime-related issues, and provides practical intervention and topical analysis on issues of public interest pertaining to crime. Through the Crime and Human Rights programme, the SAHRC is pursuing its objective of promoting a society in which the freedom and security of the person is guaranteed. For more details, please contact dvanzyl@sahrc.org.za
Non-Nationals
Ensuring the protection and promotion of the rights of non-nationals based on the principle of equality and the inherent rights of all human beings, regardless of their nationality. For example, by monitoring places of detention, overseeing implementation of immigration related policy and collaborating with strategic stakeholders to ensure that non-nationals also enjoy their fundamental rights. For more information please contact the non-nationals co-ordinator at: JTlou@sahrc.org.za
Older Persons
Older persons are a valuable resource. They are the repositories of tradition, culture, knowledge and skills. The SAHRC has a responsibility of ensuring the protection and promotion of their rights by educating them on their rights and sensitising the public of their value. This ensures that older persons enjoy their fundamental rights like any other citizen of South Africa. For more information contact the Older Persons co-ordinator: SMathiso@sahrc.org.za
Business
Businesses are community stakeholders and should not only be responsible in their practices, but responsive to the contextualised challenges which specific communities may face. Within the context of engagement with business, there is a need to move beyond the understanding of corporate social responsibility as necessarily fulfilling corporations’ human rights obligations under the Constitution. The Commission operates within five primary spheres of engagement with business at various stages of the human rights value chain, namely: Internal operations; external environment; actions within communities; business and the state; and South African multinationals abroad. Contact CJesseman@sahrc.org.za for more information.