Attention: Editors and Reporters

04 May 2023

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) welcomes the passing by the National Assembly of the Bill amending section 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The aim of this amendment is to recognise South African Sign Language (SASL) as one of the official languages of the Republic. The Commission views the adoption of the Bill as a step in the right direction to promote human rights and specifically the rights of persons who use sign language.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

2 May 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) Western Cape provincial office will be hosting Summit on “UPGRADING OF AND PROVISION OF SERVICES TO INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS IN THE WESTERN CAPE”.

03 May 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

 

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) recognises that human rights are not the monopoly of one institution and that a range of institutions, bodies and authorities have an interest in advancing them. Given this, the Commission is therefore obliged to liaise, partner and work with them to ensure that policies and practices are synchronised as far as possible to achieve common objectives where circumstances warrant cooperation.

3 May 2023

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

Over the years, the Commission in the North West has received many complaints about unfinished and inadequate RDP houses in the North West. The complaints of unfinished houses include those that were not built beyond the foundation stage, those whose walls were built up to the halfway point, and those which were built to almost completion but are left without the roof. These houses make it impossible for the owners thereof to take occupation. As a result, these houses are vandalized. The complaints of inadequate houses relate to buildings that are inaccessible to persons with disabilities. They also relate to the use of inferior building materials and poor workmanship, and, as a result, this poses safety threats/risks to the livelihoods of the occupiers.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

27 April 2023

The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC/ Commission) joins the rest of the country in celebrating Freedom Day. This day recalls that historic day, 29 years ago on 27 April 1994 when scores of people young and old stood in long queues to experience for the first time the Constitutional right to vote alongside their previously enfranchised countrymen and women.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

25 April 2023

Today, 25 April 2023, is the Africa Pre-Trial Detention Day. This day is dedicated to raise awareness of the plight of persons who are held for prolonged periods without trial in police cells and correctional centres/prisons across Africa. This date coincides with the adoption by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights of the Guidelines on Arrest, Police Custody and Pre-Trial Detention ('the Luanda Guidelines'). The Luanda Guidelines require States to strengthen national systems and practices relating to arrest, police custody and pre-trial detention by highlighting the significance of a human rights-based criminal justice system.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

25 April 2023

The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC/ Commission) has issued a final investigative report in the matter of Kebaneile Tumelo Phinda and 2 others on behalf of the Residents of Agisanang, Jachtkraal Farm, Delareyville and Letsopa // Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality and Tswaing Local Municipality. The report relates to the consolidated complaints received on 06 September, 08 September and 11 October 2021 regarding the sewer spillages and lack of basic municipal services including water, sanitation and electricity at Agisanang, Jachtkraal Farm, Delareyville and Letsopa.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

21 April 2023

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) has noted with concern the growing number of acts of intimidation circulating on social media threatening civil society organisations in the country. Civil society organisations are being targeted for going out of their way to protect the violations of human rights of some of the most vulnerable inhabitants of this country.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

18 APRIL 2023

 

The South African Human Rights Commission and the Department of Education will be hosting virtual Moot Court preparatory workshops aimed at preparing learners for the National School Moot Court Programme. The Commission and Department of Education collaborates with various institutions of higher education, law firms and professionals who provide training to the learners in preparation for the National School Moot Court Programme.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

17 April 2023

As part of the 2023 National Schools Moot Court Competition (NSMCC), the SAHRC KZN Provincial Office and the KZN Department of Education will be conducting workshops on essay writing. The workshops have been organised into joint education district clusters.