Programme News
18 May 2012
(Press release)
Significant victory for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Campaign against Israeli Occupation and Apartheid -Joint statement from South African, Palestinian and US organisations - Open Shuhada Street; Lawyers for Human Rights; Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (SA); Palestine Solidarity Forum (UCT); Popular Struggle Coordination Committee (Palestine) and Stolen Beauty Ahava Campaign...
9 May 2012
(News)
In what has been hailed as a landmark judgment for the victims of human rights abuses and the public in general, the Pretoria High Court ruled that the South African authorities have a duty to investigate Zimbabwean officials implicated in acts of torture in that country.
Judge Hans Fabricius found that the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NPA), the head of the Priority Crimes...
4 May 2012
(News)
The Ecumenical Service for Socio-Economic Transformation (ESSET) condemns in the strongest possible terms the punching and kicking of an informal trader, Andries Ndlovu by four uniformed metro police officers in Ivory Park, Midrand. According to Sunday Times, Ndlovu was beaten on Freedom Day after he asked the metro police officers why they were beating another informal trader, a 60-year-old...
3 May 2012
(News)
THE decision by the Tshwane Metro Council to implode the problematic Schubart Park flats has been put on hold, pending an application to the Constitutional Court by the tenants to return to their homes. Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) was geared up to approach the Pretoria High Court today for an urgent application to halt the implosion of the building pending the final outcome of an application...
1 May 2012
(News)
An unprecedented assault by police using unrestrained violence in hunting down criminals is exploding across South Africa. Pressure mounting on the police to reduce crime and push up conviction rates, officers are pushing the boundaries, leaving hordes of physically and mentally tortured victims in their wake.
With experts warning that torture - which when revealed has a severe adverse effect on...
13 April 2012
(Press release)
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, let me express our appreciation that you have once again taken the time to join us for our weekly media briefing.
Today, we would like to brief you on our operations at Refugee Reception Offices with particular reference to the Marabastad Office and its satellite office at the Pretoria Showgrounds as well as a review of our Easter operations.
Operations at...
11 April 2012
(Press release)
The North Gauteng High Court today delivered judgment in the case of Lawyers for Human Rights v Rules Board for Courts of Law and Another, case no 78163/2009.
This was an application challenging the constitutionality of new rules for judicial review passed by the Rules Board and approved by the Minister of Justice. All parties agreed that the rules would not be implemented until the...
5 April 2012
(Press release)
LHR welcomes the extension of social grants to recognised refugees in South Africa. The Minister of the Department of Social Development (DSD) has finally promulgated amendments to the regulations of the Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004 which will take effect from the 1 April 2012. This came as a result of sustained advocacy from various rights groups, which culminated in LHR pursuing public...
4 April 2012
(News)
Refugees seeking to get their asylum permits renewed at the Department of Home Affairs offices at the Tshwane Showgrounds are accusing officials of corruption and unwillingness to help people who cannot afford to pay a bribe. Tempers flared on Monday when at least 2 000 refugees blocked Soutter Street next to the entrance leading into the grounds. They burnt tyres as they protested and...
29 March 2012
(News)
Human and refugee rights organisations here have launched a campaign against the detention of undocumented miners at the notorious Lindela Repatriation Centre outside Johannesburg. This follows findings that large numbers of unaccompanied minors were detained in the cells and then deported, mostly to Zimbabwe, without safeguards to ensure legal oversight or consideration of their best...