All Press Releases
18 June 2015
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) welcomes the Constitutional Court’s scathing judgment lashing out at officials who willfully disregard its orders – this time in the case of the Bapsfontein community.
In August last year, the court called the Ekurhuleni Municipality and its attorney to answer why it had failed to enforce two previous orders on the evicted community.
In its judgment, the...
18 June 2015
The willful non-compliance by the South African government of a high court order preventing the departure of Sudan President Omar Al Bahir is cause for grave concern for the rule of law in the country. FIDH, ACJPS and LHR were alarmed that despite the court order preventing his exit, Al Bashir – who was attending the African Union summit in South Africa – was able to leave without...
15 June 2015
LHR, FIDH and ACJPS welcome the order issued yesterday by the High court in Pretoria to prevent the departure of the President of Sudan and wanted fugitive from the International Criminal Court (ICC), Omar Al Bashir. While unconfirmed information indicates that Bashir may have left South Africa after the Court rendered its decision, our organisations urge the Government to take all necessary...
12 June 2015
Less than 24 hours before an urgent high court application in the High Court in Pretoria on behalf of the Blyvooruitzicht Mining Village, parties have reached an interim settlement agreement.
The original application sought to compel the Merafong City Local Municipality and Rand Water to reconnect water supply to Blyvooruitzicht after it was disconnected last month.
In the agreement, the...
9 June 2015
The 25th session of the African Union Summit will be held in South Africa on 07-15 June 2015. With the backdrop of the recent xenophobic attacks and responses (outcry) from countries across the continent and globally, including regional mechanisms, Amnesty International and partners will host a high-level parallel event looking into the history of xenophobic attacks in South Africa and the...
9 June 2015
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) has launched an urgent high court application on behalf of the Blyvooruitzicht community to have their water supply reconnected.
As reported in recent weeks, water supply was disconnected by the Merafong City Local Municipality and Rand Water last month.
Most members of the community worked for the now-defunct Blyvooruitzicht Mine which was placed under provisional...
29 May 2015
The newly revamped and launched Kutlwanong Democracy Centre (KDC) has undergone a transformation. The KDC, owned by Lawyers for Human Rights, provides a unique hub for civil society in Pretoria, bringing together a range of organisations working in the areas of human rights, social assistance and development.
The opening and revamp of the historically significant KDC was addressed by FIDH...
28 May 2015
For the first time in its history, FIDH has opened an office in Pretoria, South Africa. This office, located in the headquarters of its member organisation in South Africa, Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR), at the Kutlwanong Democracy Centre (KDC) in Pretoria, will be officially launched on May 29.
“The decision to open an office in South Africa was motivated by the inspirational human rights...
14 May 2015
To commemorate Africa Month this May, Joburg Theatre will be presenting a weekend of AFRICA DAY CELEBRATIONS featuring local and international artists on The Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre on May 22nd and 23rd.
Friday May 22nd will feature Lura (Cape Verde), Femi Koya and special guest Abena Koomson (Nigeria, SA, Ghana/New York) and Ringo (SA)
Saturday May 23rd will feature Lura (Cape Verde),...
12 May 2015
The recent spate of xenophobic attacks and the subsequent crackdown of Operation Fiela-Reclaim (“clean sweep”), in a show of institutional xenophobia, have occurred during Africa month in which Africa Day – which commemorates African unity - is celebrated. Not only have these events severely affected South Africa’s reputation internationally and fostered a culture of fear...