Attention: Editors and Reporters

Tuesday 31 October 2017

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is concerned over reports that violence, as well as incidents of disruption and intimidation have erupted at several university campuses amidst student protests taking place around the country.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

30 October 2017

In February 2017, the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) received a complaint from the African Diaspora Forum (ADF) in which they alleged that the Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Herman Mashaba had made comments that were xenophobic and had the propensity to fuel xenophobic attacks.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Friday, 27 October 2017

The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or Commission), pays close attention to crime and the impact it has on the rights of ordinary people in South Africa. The Minister of Police, Fikile Mbalula, released the crime statistics in Parliament on Tuesday, the 24th October 2017. The Commission is cautiously relieved that crime has dropped by 1.8% overall, however remains concerned that crime levels remain comparatively high with increases in serious crime categories such as murder (up by 1.8%), aggravated robbery  (up by 6.4%), car hijackings (up by 14.5%) and cash-in-transit heists (up by 10.9%).

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Tuesday, 23 October 2017

The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or Commission) has noted, with great concern, the raid, arrest and detention of human rights defenders who were holding a meeting on 17th October 2017 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The Commission understands that at the time of their arrest, these individuals were meeting to explore the possibility of mounting legal challenges to the government’s ban on drop-in centres serving key populations at risk of HIV, as well as the ban on water-based lubricants, an essential HIV prevention tool. These human rights defenders have since been accused of promoting homosexuality, leading to their arrest and detention for merely attempting to assist others in the realisation of fundamental human rights.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

23 October 2017

The SAHRC’s Gauteng provincial office will be hosting a provincial indaba on access to housing for migrants in Gauteng cities. The purpose of the indaba is to create a platform for actors from various sectors to discuss and provide a structured response to the issue of access to housing for migrants. It is hoped that a multi-sectorial approach to the issue will accelerate the progressive realisation of the right to adequate housing.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

22 October 2017

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) in partnership with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development will conduct an outreach clinic/ roadshow in the uMhlathuze Local Municipality from 23 – 27 October 2017. The following areas will be visited viz. Mzingazi, Nseleni, Esikhawini, Ngwelezane and Dlangezwa (Vulindlela).  

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Thursday, 20 October 2017

African Human Rights Day is celebrated on the 21 October annually in commemoration of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (the “African Charter”), which came into force on that day in 1985.  

Event: Africa Human Rights Day Venue:  SAHRC Training Centre, Forum 3, Braampark, 33 Hoofd Street, Braamfontein
Date:    Friday, 20 October 2017
Time:    09:45-13:30

R.S.V.P: Tshepo Legodi: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel: 011 492 1103

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Thursday, 19 October 2017

Like the rest of the nation, the South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or Commission) is shocked by recent reports of sexual violence directed against children, in schools across South Africa. One of these reports is of particular concern as it indicates that 87 children were molested, sexually harassed or otherwise sexually assaulted by a 57 year old school patroller at AB Xuma Primary School in Soweto. The Commission is deeply concerned that this abuse occurred over such a protracted period, that so many children report that they were sexually abused during this time and that the school authorities were either not aware of or ignored the then ongoing abuse. A further report has emerged over the past weekend, of a 17 year old learner who had been raped by a patroller in a separate incident in Pretoria. The Gauteng Department of Education has indicated that at least five separate incidents are under investigation, in Gauteng Province alone.   

Attention: Editors and Reporters

19 October 2017

The South African Human Rights Commission’s Eastern Cape Provincial Office will be hosting a media networking session.