The Constitution and the legislation protect vulnerable people (especially children) from being evicted into homelessness. Section 26 of the Constitution seeks to prevent arbitrary evictions. To give effect to that right the Prevention of Illegal Eviction and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (PIE) was enacted. Germane to this analysis is section 4 which prescribes that an eviction order should only be granted if it is ‘just and equitable’. The considerations which the court must have regard to a priori determining that an eviction order is just and equitable are the rights and needs of the “elderly, children and disabled people”.

The SAHRC has received and accepted an unconditional apology by Ms Vivienne Basson who was accused of discrimination on the basis of race and culture following her post of Facebook earlier this year. The apology was received during a conciliation meeting with Ms Basson recently.

With the release of the Living Conditions Survey of 2009, its data indicated wide and deeply worrisome disparities between children living in poverty and children not living in poverty, with respect to full access to such basic needs as water, sanitation, refuse removal, electricity and formal housing. The data also indicated that there were certain groups of children who suffered from such lack to a greater extent and were more deeply mired in poverty than others.

In honouring Ma Albertina Sisulu, I recall the solidarity with which she embraced us in the 1980’s and in SA’s first democratic Parliament, as sisters, daughters and granddaughters.

Attention Editors and Reporters 22 August 2013 The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is disappointed at the announcement by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development that the State will not provide funding for the legal representation of the injured and arrested miners in the Marikana Commission of Inquiry.

Transforming society. Securing rights. Restoring dignity The SAHRC is searching for talented individuals who are committed to shaping the future of South Africa The SAHRC has embarked on a comprehensive rethinking exercise that involves critical self-reflection, reviewing our performance, and asking difficult questions. One of the consequences of this rethinking process has been the development of a new organisational structure that seeks to attract talented individuals committed to transforming society, securing rights and restoring dignity.

13 August 2013 On Thursday, 15 August 2013, the South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) will be convening a meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education and other key stakeholders in the education sector, at the Commission’s Head Offices. Dr. Kishore Singh was appointed as the Special Rapporteur (expert appointed by the Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme) on the Right to Education in 2010 and has since sought to highlight specificities of thin international right and identify areas of violation of the right. This meeting forms part of a three-day visit to South Africa; during which time Dr Singh will address a joint Committee Meeting of the Pan African Parliament.

Given the high incidence as well as depth of poverty for various groups of children,this assignment seeks to examine the possibility of the existence of the phenomena of poverty traps and social exclusion among South Africa’s children, and the additional national and societal efforts that are needed to break such traps. For the full Terms of Reference in this regard, please click here.

08 March 2013 “South African women still face serious challenges in realising their human rights as enshrined in the Constitution”, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Deputy-Chairperson Pregs Govender said today, 08 March 2013, at the Commissions commemoration the International Women’s Day.

4 March 2013 ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters The South African Human Rights Commission will commemorate Human Rights month by hosting a National Water and Sanitation Hearing on March 19th in Midrand.