SA Human Rights Commission Chair, Adv Mabedle Lawrence Mushwana |
The South African Human Rights Commission is the national
institution
established to entrench constitutional democracy. It
is
committed to promote respect for, observance of and the
protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.
protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.
What
are human rights?
Human
rights are the basic rights that everyone has, simply because they are human.
The list of human rights protected in South Africa is contained in the Bill of
Rights, Chapter 2 of the South African Constitution, the highest law in our
country.
What
are human rights violations?
If
someone ignores or abuses your rights, it is called a violation of those
rights. For example, if someone treats a person differently because of his or
her race, gender, age or ethnic group, that person's right to equality is being
abused or violated.
What
does the Commission do?
In
accordance with the Constitution and the Human Rights Commission Act of 1994,
the tasks of the Human Rights Commission are to:
· Develop
an awareness of human rights among the people of South Africa.
· Make
recommendations to the state to improve the carrying out of human rights.
· Undertake
studies and report to Parliament on matters relating to human rights.
· Investigate
complaints of violations of human rights and seek appropriate relief.
The
Commission works with government, civil society and individuals, both in South
Africa and internationally, acting as both a watchdog and a visible route
through which people can access their rights.
· What
can the Commission do for you? See the box on the right.
While
the handling and management of complaints about human rights violations lies at
the heart of the Commission's work, it also aims to create a national culture
of human rights through its advocacy, research and legal functions. In
addition, the Commission monitors and develops standards of human rights law.
Typical
recent, current and future projects include:
· A
school racism study.
· An
inquiry into racism in the media.
· The
Roll Back Xenophobia Campaign.
· Monitoring
socio-economic rights.
· A
child participation study and report.
· The
National Conference on Racism.
· An
investigation into racism in the justice system.
· An
investigation into child sexual abuse.
· Human
rights in farming communities.
· Constitutional
legislation (equality and access
to information legislation).
· A
national action plan on strategies to combat racism.
· A
national action plan to promote and protect human rights.
· The
UN 3rd World Conference on Racism
· Socio-economic
rights of refugees and non-nationals.
· Monitoring
South Africa's international human rights obligations.
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