All news items
28 August 2009
August 30, 2009 marks the 26th anniversary of the International day of the Disappeared. On this day families of disappeared persons all over the world commemorate their loves ones. They are joined by human rights organisations, lawyers, journalists, government officials and many others. South Africa has still not signed this convention. Lawyers for Human Rights calls on the Minister of...
16 August 2009
South Africa is considering the introduction of zero tolerance policing ahead of next year's football World Cup, making it easier for officers to "shoot to kill" suspected criminals. The proposal has raised fears of a return to "apartheid-era policing", with officers having the right to shoot fleeing suspects in the back. The change in tone has come with the...
12 August 2009
Cynthia, who fled the Democratic Republic of Congo to find safety in this country a year ago, says: "I don't want to live in South Africa too long; I am so scared for my little boy." She arrived in June when the countrywide xenophobia attacks had ended, but says even today she is scared to speak to her child when he cries in a taxi, because he only understands French and she has been...
13 July 2009
Destitute people who were arrested while sleeping outside the Methodist Church in central Joburg a week ago say police beat them, insulted them, gave them electric shocks and stole their belongings.
Joburg metro police and SAPS members arrested 358 homeless people, mostly Zimbabweans, late at night on July 3. They were due to appear in court last Monday on charges of loitering, but were released...
13 July 2009
South African non-governmental organisations are on a collision course with government after the decision of the African Union not to co-operate with the International Criminal Court over the arrest of Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir.The organisations - including the Centre for Applied Legal Studies, the International Centre for Transitional Justice, the Khulumani Support Group and Lawyers for...
9 July 2009
The ideal candidate is a self-motivated attorney with an interest in constitutional and human rights law. Good writing and research skills are essential. High Court litigation experience would be an advantage.
Full terms of reference will be made available on application. Please send applications to Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh on Kaajal [at] lhr [dot] org [dot] za (...
5 July 2009
South African human rights organisations on Saturday condemned the arrest of about 300 destitute Zimbabwean nationals. "We have been informed by the SAPS (South African Police Service) that the purpose of the raid was to clear the streets and enforce municipal bylaws," the Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Resources Centre said in a joint statement. "Large numbers of SAPS and...
4 July 2009
Lawyers for Human Rights and the Legal Resources Centre condemn the arrest by South African Police Service, Johannesburg Metro Police Department and Pikitup of destitute Zimbabweans seeking refuge outside the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg.We have been informed by the SAPS that the purpose of the raid was to clear the streets and enforce municipal bylaws. Large numbers of SAPS and metro...
24 June 2009
The special permit for Zimbabwean migrants, announced by the South African government, is being put on hold pending a review of the decision by cabinet. The outgoing home affairs minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula announced in April 2009 that Zimbabwean migrants would be eligible for a special permit allowing them to stay legally in South Africa for six months.
NGOs concerned with migration...
22 June 2009
Excerpt: "Violence against non‐nationals has been a long‐standing and increasingly prominent feature of post‐Apartheid South Africa. The May 2008 attacks reflected fundamental tensions and dysfunctions in contemporary South African society and politics. More than a year on, the factors that led to the violence have not been addressed. There is little reason to believe that violence against...