Programme News
10 December 2008
(Press release)
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) today launched a report on monitoring immigration detention in South Africa highlighting the serious human rights concerns in South Africa's immigration detention facilities, in particular the privately operated facility at Lindela in Krugersdorp and the detention centre operated by the SAPS in Musina.
While prisons in South Africa fall under the monitoring...
20 November 2008
(Press release)
Media Release
November 20th, 2008, Universal Children's Day 2008
Countries must stop the detention of children
On the occasion of Universal Children's Day 2008, the International Coalition on the Detention of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants (IDC) calls upon States to stop the detention of migrant and refugee children.
In a recent survey of 21 countries on detention issues, the...
18 November 2008
(News)
JOHANNESBURG - Threats to boycott next year's general election followed the ConstitutionalCourt's postponement of the Moutse demarcation row on Tuesday."We won't vote," said a frustrated Abraham Mahlangu, echoing similar calls by Khutsongresidents ahead of the last election over their own incorporation into theNorth West from Gauteng.Mahlangu,the chairman of the Sehlakwane Demarcation...
18 November 2008
(Press release)
20 November 2008 Lawyers for Human Rights welcomes the decision of theConstitutional Court today to postpone the hearing of the Moutse demarcationdispute in order to allow the Minister of Provincial and Local Government anopportunity to address the concerns of the Moutse community regarding theirtransfer from Mpumalanga and to Limpopo. The Minister's request to court follows his recent...
29 October 2008
(Press release)
PRESS RELEASE - 29 October 2008
On 16 October 2008 three Zimbabweans detained in immigration detention in Musina were subjected to cruel and inhumane assaults at the hands of a number of police officers. The detention facility, commonly referred to as SMG, is controlled by the South African Police Service in Musina.
The police officers tightly handcuffed one of the detainees with his hands...
22 October 2008
(News)
October 21, 2008, 18:15
Sick and dying inmates are being left to waste away behind prison walls. The harrowing scenes can be seen on secret footage taken inside a Gauteng prison. The exclusive footage forms part of a Special Assignment investigation into medical parole, which airs later tonight.
Shocking images from behind the walls of Modderbee prison, east of Johannesburg, are exposed. An...
22 October 2008
(Press release)
21 October 2008LHR reached an agreement with the Department of HomeAffairs today for the release of thirty-seven foreign nationals who have beendetained at Lindela Holding Facility since 6 August 2008. The 37 men were amongst hundreds of displaced foreignerswho sought temporary shelter and protection at Rifle Range, Glenanda followingthe xenophobic attacks in May of this year. Despite their...
14 October 2008
(Press release)
LHR has brought an urgent application against the Department of Home Affairs on behalf of 208 foreign nationals to be argued in the Pretoria High Court today.
This group of men were amongst the hundreds of displaced foreigners who sought temporary protection at Rifle Range, Glenanda following the xenophobic attacks in may of this year. During July they were part of a group who were removed...
14 October 2008
(News)
Business Day - State to review decisions on cross-border municipalities
Sibongakonke Shoba - Staff Writer
COMMUNITIES in areas where their municipalities were incorporated into other provinces against their will, seem to have won the battle as the government is now reviewing these decisions.
The provincial and local government department told Business Day that the decisions affecting...
23 September 2008
(Press release)
LAWYERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONDEMNS INTIMIDATION TACTICS AGAINST XENOPHOBIC CAMP RESIDENTS
Pretoria, South Africa, 23 September, 2008
Lawyers for Human Rights has been monitoring the situation in the recently consolidated camps for the victims of May's xenophobic violence. We have also been following the court process taking place in the Constitutional Court and await the directions from the...