The Week Ahead (05- 09 December 2016)
In our pursuit to making rights real, we bring to you our plans and activities for the week. This is done, in so that the public, media and our partners are always aware of our cases and advocacy activities. We hope that this is not only informative but encourages everyone to contribute towards our goal, which is making rights real.
05 December 2016
The Gender and Equality Programme (GEP) will be doing an oral submission before the High Level Panel on the Assessment of Key Legislation and the Acceleration of Fundamental Change. The Panel consists of eminent South Africans representing civil society, business and academia and is chaired by former South African President, H.E. Kgalema Motlanthe. The mandate of the Panel is to assess the impact of existing legislation, identify legislative gaps, propose action steps by Parliament in the core area of its mandate, and review legislation. We will be talking about the state of monitoring systems in respect of the Sexual Offences Act, and the Domestic Violence Act, and proposing solutions to current monitoring shortcomings.
The GEP manager, Sanja Bornman will also be speaking at an event entitled, “The state of LGBTI Rights Protection in SA, with a focus on the proposed Hate Crimes Bill.” The event is led by the Southern African Liaison Office, and the key note address will be delivered by the Deputy Minister of Justice.
To follow the event #HateCrimesBill or follow @LHR_SA
06 December 2016
Our Upington office will be having its final Northern Cape Regional Network meeting this week with SPP, Namko and Women on Farms. It will be at our office in Upington and will be from Tuesday until Thursday.
The Land and Housing Programme is in the urgent court for three cases:
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The case against the municipality for burning down shelters in Visagie Street
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To obtain an order against the pound master to release our clients goats; and
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Application to obtain an interdict against Emalahlani Municipality from allowing any further development on the property occupied by our clients.
For more details on these cases follow us @LHR_SA or visit our Facebook Page: Lawyers for Human rights.
07 December 2016
We will be in the Pretoria Central Children’s Court for a hearing regarding the minor Congolese child who served his diversion programme in the Secure Care Children’s Facility in Soshanguve after being convicted of stealing a cell phone who wishes to be placed in the care of his biological brother.
On Wednesday the GEP will attend a meeting of the Hate Crimes Working group Steering Committee, where we will prepare our preliminary written response to the call for comments on the Hate Crimes Bill. The Bill can be accessed here, and comment will be accepted until 31 January 2017.
Closing remarks:
Please be aware that all our Law Clinics will be closed from the 8th of December to the 4th of January.
LHR wishes all of you a safe, healthy and joyous holiday.