22 March 2017

Jackie CarrollBy: Jackie Carroll

Education is a fundamental human right and the foundation upon which other rights are built on. Without education, an individual cannot realise their full potential. Basic education is one of the focus areas identified by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in order to fulfil its mandate of promoting, protecting and monitoring the realisation of all human rights in South Africa effectively.

21 March 2017

The South African Human Rights Commission Chairperson, Bongani Majola, says young people should honor Human Rights Day and continue to fight for access to education as part of their Human Rights.

Commemorating the 1960 Sharpeville massacre which saw 69 people killed by the apartheid police during a peaceful protest near Vereeniging south of Johannesburg, the South African Human Rights Commission Chairperson, Advocate Bongani Majola, says young people should continue to demand their right to education as it is also a human right.  

21 March 2017
 

Attention Editors
 

In commemoration of Human Rights Day, the South African Human Rights Commission calls on everyone to reflect on what has been done, and what still needs to be done for the attainment of human rights for all in South Africa.   
 
Human Rights Day is commemorated annually on 21 March to honour the sacrifice of those who fell during the Sharpeville massacre on this day in 1960.

Media Statement

10 March 2017

Attention: Editors

Judgment is to be handed down in the Seshego Equality Court (Limpopo) in a matter brought by the South African Human Rights Commission on behalf of a transgendered learner against a former secondary school principal and the Limpopo Department of Education.

21 February 2017

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says it is deeply concerned by reports of escalating violence aimed at foreign nationals in Gauteng.

This comes after several houses were destroyed in Rosettenville, Johannesburg and shops were looted in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria.

21 February 2017

South African continues to be characterised by deep and growing inequalities‚ says the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

The human rights watchdog was presenting its Human Rights Budget Speech in Johannesburg‚ which was delivered by Daniel McLaren‚ senior researcher at the Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute (SPII).

21 February 2017

The South African Human Rights Commission has voiced its "strong condemnation" for acts of violence directed at foreign nationals.

Commenting on community violence in Pretoria West over the weekend and on Monday and in Rosettenville‚ Johannesburg‚ in the preceding week‚ the commission said in a statement: "We understand that the police are still investigating the facts relating to the two incidents and would wait until the investigation yields more information. The Commission is against and condemns any violent attacks on persons on the basis that they are foreign nationals and any destruction of property as both violate human rights of people‚ despite the reason."

20 February 2017

The SAHRC has been asked to investigate whether more patients died outside of Gauteng.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will investigate whether more psychiatric patients have died in provinces besides Gauteng as a result of being moved from Life Esidimeni centres in the country to NGOs, according to The Star.

17 February 2017

Racist and inflammatory comments on social media against people of Chinese descent will not be tolerated‚ said the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

The Chinese Commission in Braamfontein‚ Johannesburg‚ laid a complaint with the SAHRC on Friday in connection with comment posted on social media‚ saying they incited violence and harm against Chinese people and their children.

16 February 2017

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has concluded its national hearing on racism and social media in South Africa and says a report will be out in two months.

The two day event was a response to the overwhelming amount of complaints the commission receives that are related to race or racism.