SAHRC is concerned about the arrest of peaceful healthcare protestors

11 July 2014

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) wishes to express its concern at the arrest of peaceful protestors staging a sit-in at the Free State Health Department’s Head Office. We have been advised that most of the protestors are women health care workers expressing dissatisfaction with the state of health care in the province and the alleged dismissal of about 3000 community health workers.

The Commission has on various occasions including its report into healthcare in South Africa, socio-economic rights reports, as well as its findings on violations of the right to access healthcare, expressed grave concern about the state of public healthcare facilities across South Africa.

We will therefore continue to monitor the situation in the Free State and engage directly with provincial and national government officials on this matter.

ENDS


Issued by the SA Human Rights Commission.

For more information please contact:
Isaac Mangena
Head: Communications
0718848273