Programme News
28 May 2015
(News)
You would imagine, wouldn’t you, that once the court battles over a land claim were sorted out and an award was made returning the land to the people who originally lived on it, their legal troubles would be over.
Surely this would start a constructive new era for the community concerned and they could build a new life for themselves and their families? It turns out, however, that this is a...
23 May 2015
(News)
Unnatural deaths, public searches of bodies stripped naked, torture, overcrowding, violence, and a rampant spread of tuberculosis all run counter to the new set of guidelines on fair treatment for prisoners adopted by the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice on Friday, which they have named the Mandela Rules.
The world forum also declared that Nelson Mandela...
21 May 2015
(News)
Municipal Mayors and even Provincial Premier's could face jail time if their departments fail to comply with court orders. This is in terms of a ground-breaking decision by the Constitutional Court which paves the way for state functionaries to be held personally liable for the enforcement of court orders.
14 May 2015
(Press release)
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
(Press release)
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...
12 May 2015
(Press release)
Over the last fortnight we have witnessed human rights violations and arbitrary detentions of primarily foreign nationals under the controversial Operation Fiela-Reclaim, culminating in mass-arrests and detentions in the early hours Friday, 8 May 2015.
Lawyers have been repeatedly denied access to consult with those arrested during the raids on 8 May 2015 and most detainees still have not had the...
11 May 2015
(News)
As lawyers for human rights demand access to more than 200 illegal immigrants arrested on Friday, government has denied that joint raids being carried out by the army, police and Home Affairs officials, are targeting foreigners.
Operation Fiela was launched during xenophobic attacks in different parts of the country several weeks ago.
So far, more than 700 people have been arrested during various...
11 May 2015
(News)
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) say they are being denied access to more than 200 foreign nationals arrested during a raid on the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg this weekend.
235 people were arrested for being in the country illegally during a raid in the city center on Friday morning and lawyers for human rights says Home Affairs has denied its request to visit them as it is still...
8 May 2015
(Press release)
LHR continues to be extremely concerned by the ongoing raids in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town as part of Operation Fiela-Reclaim.
We have noted the worrying trend of state leaders turning to “clean up” operations to look for undocumented nationals. We feel that the priority should instead be focusing on a logical and coherent reintegration plan to prevent future violence. These...
8 May 2015
(News)
South Africa is often branded as a country with a high incarceration rate. In certain respects, this is true. For with 290 people per 100 000 imprisoned, it has the highest incarceration rate in Africa. But there is much more to prison population rates than a national headcount of bodies behind bars.
About two-thirds of the South African prison population have been sentenced to prison. The...