Thursday, 19 July 2012

The South African Human Rights Commission and its stakeholders today commence their consultative workshop to invite participants’ comments on, and engagement with, the obligations and indicators in the Charter on Basic Education Rights, with a focus on the reaching agreement on the nature and description of the indicators for monitoring the fulfillment of the right to basic education.

Tuesday, 17 July 2012

The South African Human Rights Commission and its stakeholders invite members of the media to their consultative workshop which will deliberate on issues relating the obligations and indicators in the Charter on Basic Education Rights.

Monday, 25 June 2012

The 26th of June marks the annual commemoration of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. This day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1997 with the aim of supporting efforts to eliminate torture and promoting the application of the International Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or punishment (CAT).

Thursday, 07 June 2012

The South African Human Rights Commission has been receiving numerous complaints about the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers in Gauteng.  The Commission has been monitoring the situation closely.

Thursday, 31 May 2012

Today, the South African government will appear before the 13th Session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations in Geneva.  The UPR is a unique mechanism of the Human Rights Council in which States peer review each other’s human rights record every 4 ½  years. The purpose of this process is to improve the human rights situation on the ground in Member States.

Date: Friday, 11 May 2012

The South African Rights Commission welcomes the steps taken by State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele to ensure that the Protection of Information Bill passes constitutional muster. The Protection of Information Bill in its current form is unconstitutional and unjustifiably limits people’s basic right to access information. The receptiveness of the Minister to the concerns expressed by the Commission, civil society and the public is commended.

Monday, 07 May 2012

The SA Human Rights Commission has observed with concern the abuse of social media to perpetuate racism and discrimination.

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

The SA Human Rights Commission is concerned about the number of road accidents involving the VIP Protection Unit. In addition, the Commission is calling for the Ministries of Police and Transport to urgently review guidelines on the usage of blue lights.

Tuesday, 13 March 2012

The SA Human Rights Commission (Commission) will commemorate this year’s Human Rights Month by launching the first phase of its national hearings on water and sanitation on Wednesday, 14 March 2012 at 6 Spin Street, Cape Town from 08:30 – 14:30. The Commission’s commemorations will take place under the theme of Constitutional accountability, the right to dignity and the progressive realisation of the right to water and sanitation in South Africa. The hearings are in accordance with the Commission’s mandate to monitor and assess the observance of human rights.

Date: 13 March 2012


The South African Human Rights Commission kicked-off its 2012 Human Rights Month Campaign at the Rammolutsi Township in Viljoenskroon in the Free State.