SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Attorneys in Cape Town

Since its establishment by Constitutional Mandate, the South African Human Rights Commission has dedicated itself to: Raising awareness of human rights issues. The LSU endeavours to discharge the protection mandate of the Commission through the efficient and effective investigation of complaints of human rights violations, the provision of quality legal advice and assistance, as well as seeking redress through the courts for victims of human rights violations. The LSU seeks to foster an understanding and respect for human rights by addressing human rights violations or threats of a violation, which includes making appropriate findings and recommendations to stakeholders. The investigation of complaints involves conducting public inquiries, issuing of subpoenas and in loco inspections where necessary. A Trends Analysis Report is also produced on an annual basis so as to substantively analyse complaints received by the Commission for the relevant financial year under review. It aims to not only provide statistical information regarding the number of complaints received, referred and finalised by the Commission, but to further provide a narrative analysis with a view to informing both Parliament and the general public about the initiatives undertaken by the Commission in addressing such complaints. The Commission is legislatively required to fulfil a number of tasks in terms of PAIA. The Commission also has a role to play in terms of its broader Constitutional mandate insofar as the right of access to information is concerned. The PAIA Unit of the Commission performs these functions. Awareness raising and education for users and implementers of PAIA. The Research Unit (RU) is tasked mainly with discharging the monitoring mandate of the SAHRC. The RU conducts investigations on pertinent human rights issues through various means, including interviews and desktop studies, and then drafts reports that include findings from these studies. Recommendations to offer remedy in the case of human rights violations, are also provided. This sub-unit annually published an Equality Report, which provides an update of the status of these rights in the Republic. Parliamentary and International Affairs Unit: deals with the monitoring of bills and legislative amendments that pass through Parliament and ensures that the SAHRC makes input in to those bills and amendments that relate to human rights. The Advocacy and Communications unit plays a strategic central role in strengthening the Commission’s promotion mandate. Both advocacy and communications are a common thread that runs throughout the work of the various units within the Commission. As rights are inter-linked and inter-dependant, this unit’s promotion work complements both the protection and monitoring of human rights aspects so that the three core mandates are reinforced. The Advocacy sub unit mainly works towards the promotion of human rights to create awareness, deepen understanding of human rights and ensuring attainment of a culture of human rights. The bulk of implementation of advocacy work is mainly carried out through the Commission’s provincial offices, with the unit at Head Office being mainly responsible for events of a national character and also supporting, coordinating and overseeing those activities that relate to advocacy within the provinces. It serves as the institution’s focal point for parliamentary, international and regional human rights engagement and conducts research, drafts submissions and engages in various advocacy activities in order to carry out the Commission’s constitutional mandate. The unit actively engages with parliamentary processes to ensure that South Africa’s legislative framework promotes and protects human rights in terms of the Constitution and relevant international and regional human rights obligations, norms and standards. The unit also ensures that the SAHRC is visible as a national human rights institution (NHRI) at the international and regional level and monitors, reports and raises awareness about South Africa’s compliance with its international and regional human rights obligations. The Human Rights Commission is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy.