ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

30 NOVEMBER 2018

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) will conduct an inspection of key discharge points in the City of Ekurhuleni which are responsible for removal of effluent flowing into the Vaal River. These key plants are allegedly the point of discharge of the pollutant-containing effluent.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

29 November 2018

The SAHRC, Legal Aid SA and ProBono.Org will be hosting an outreach clinic at Warwick Junction in Durban. This initiative is designed to inform the community about their rights and responsibilities; to create a platform for the community to engage directly with stakeholders and to provide a free legal advisory desk.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

28 November 2018

In the last few years, the South African Human Rights Commission in Mpumalanga (“Commission”) has received a number of complaints relating to sewerage spillages and waste water treatment challenges in various municipalities in Mpumalanga. The complaints alleged that the sewerage spillages and/or the inadequate treatment of waste water violated the affected communities’ right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being (section 24 of the Constitution), as well as the affected communities’ right to clean water (section 27 of the Constitution) and their right to dignity (section 10 of the Constitution).

Attention: Editors and Reporters

26 November 2018

On 27 – 28 November 2018, the South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”), Western Cape Provincial Office in partnership with GCIS, will be hosting information sessions to amplify basic human rights awareness enshrined in chapter 2 of the Constitution – the Bill of Rights. The information sessions are centered under the theme “Know Your Rights and Responsibilities”.

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

21 NOVEMBER 2018

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) Gauteng Provincial Office in collaboration with the Network or African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), will host a National Consultation on the African Commission Principles on Decriminalisation of Petty Offences in Africa.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

20 November 2018

On 20 – 22 November 2018, the South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) will be hosting capacity building workshops to amplify basic human rights awareness with the specific focus to the right of access to courts enshrined in section 34 read with sections 38 and 39 of the Constitution. The workshops are centered under the theme “My Right to Use Courts Responsibly”, and are intended to equip rural communities with information on the content of the right of access to courts.

15^th November 2018

Attention: Editors and Reporters

South Africa ratified the United Nations Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), two decades after it was signed by former President Nelson Mandela. In terms of the Convention, South Africa presented its report about how it was faring in making rights a reality on 12 October 2018 to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission), which also has a standing with the United Nations Committee provided its own independent report about the level of progress achieved by the State under the Convention. 

Attention: Editors and Reporters

14 November 2018

On 16-18 November 2018 the South African Human Rights Commission will host roadshows in the Dihlabeng Local Municipality.

In the last financial year the Free State Provincial Office visited the Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality. The sites visited highlighted the need to intensify human rights awareness campaigns in rural and far-flung areas of the province. During the visits, the delegation of the Free State Office established that there has been an upsurge in farm evictions and many farm dwellers in these areas visited face many challenges when they are evicted illegally with their homes often being destroyed upon eviction.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Tuesday, 13 November 2018

In its efforts to promote a culture of and the observance of human rights, today, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South African Police Service (SAPS). Both parties recognised that the duty to protect people and property has implications for the promotion and protection of human rights and ensuring that peace and security is maintained in our democracy.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

12 November 2018

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will host a public outreach clinic in the uMngeni Local Municipality from the 13 – 16 November 2018.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

12 November 2018

On 13 – 15 November 2018, the South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”), Mpumalanga Provincial Office (MPO), will be hosting information sessions to amplify basic human rights awareness enshrined in “Chapter 2 of the Constitution – the Bill of Rights. The information sessions are centered under the theme “Know Your Rights and Responsibilities.

Attention Editors and Reporters

5 November 2018

The South Africa Human Rights Commission (Gauteng Provincial Office), will visit Randfontein tomorrow, this after residents complained that raw sewage is flowing from the Randfontein sewage processing plant into the Tweelopiespruit. The residents allege that raw sewage that enters the plant is let into the river by the Rand West City Municipality without any treatment of the effluent and the untreated black water finds its way to the Hartbeespoort Dam. According to residents, this poses serious risks to the environment and the health of people who are dependent on water from the Hartbeespoort dam system.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

30 October 2018

On 31 October 2018, the South African Human Rights Commission will host roadshows in the Setsoto District Municipality.

These roadshows are expected to serve as a platform to amplify awareness on pertinent issues relating to access to justice, Children’s rights, the Commission’s child friendly complaints handling procedure, access to information and many other rights as provided in the Bill of Rights.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

23 October 2018

The Eastern Cape Provincial Office in collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) will be hosting a workshop commemorating Africa Human Rights Day (21 October). The two Commissions hope to bring all role players in the human rights space such as government departments, civil society and the public, particularly the refugee community to reiterate their commitment to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and other regional instruments such as the African Charter in ensuring a culture of human rights in the country and the province.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

22 October 2018

On 23 – 25 October 2018, the Mpumalanga Provincial Office (MPO) will host public outreach education (Information Sessions) in three areas of the province. The information sessions are intended to raise awareness about the mandate of the Commission; to contribute to the promotion, protection and realisation of human rights enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa; and to advocate for the right to access information to ensure transparency on service delivery by public and private entities. The office will also register complaints and enquiries on human rights issues.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

19 October 2018

On the 25-27 September 2018, the South African Human Rights Commission in collaboration with NICRO embarked on a series of information sessions on Children’s Rights and Responsibilities at schools in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

19 October 2018

 The SAHRC, DOJ&CD, and ProBono.Org will be hosting an outreach clinic in Umbumbulo. This initiative is designed to inform the community about their rights and responsibilities; to create a platform for the community to engage directly with stakeholders and to provide a free legal advisory desk.