Programme News
15 June 2015
(Press release)
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...
9 June 2015
(Press release)
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...
5 June 2015
(News)
AFTER a spate of murderous attacks in Durban and Johannesburg on migrant workers from neighbouring countries, South Africa badly needs to improve its image on the continent. And at the level of gestures and rhetoric, it is trying to do exactly that. On a visit to Mozambique last month President Jacob Zuma apologised for the violence by a “small minority” of his compatriots which had...
29 May 2015
(Press release)
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
(Press release)
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...
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...
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...
6 May 2015
(Press release)
Swaziland is host to an increasingly repressive political regime and diminishing judicial independence. Oppression, arbitrary arrests, abject poverty and torture/beatings are all commonplace creating a fearful and paranoid environment.
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) and the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) hosted a special seminar examining the situation in light of the arrest of Mario...
6 May 2015
(News)
The Department of Home Affairs has presented a number of reasons why it believed the Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA’s) order that it must reopen the Port Elizabeth refugee reception office by July 1 was incorrect.
The department has applied to the Constitutional Court to set aside the SCA’s order made on March 25.
Refugee reception offices provide services to those who want to...