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The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa
Source: The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa |

President Ramaphosa affirms the role of multiparty process on the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act

The agreement between the Minister and Solidarity has no bearing – in law or practical effect – on the inclusive multiparty discussions that are underway on sections 4 and 5 of the Act

President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the settlement agreement between the Minister of Basic Education and the Solidarity union on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA). The BELA Bill was passed by the 6th democratic Parliament on 26 October 2023. The President assented to the Bill on 13 September 2024. …

Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Source: Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) |

Countering terrorism and human rights expert to visit Côte d’Ivoire

The Special Rapporteur will assess the extent to which Côte d’Ivoire’s laws and practices to counter terrorism comply with international human rights law, including criminal laws and measures to counter the financing of terrorism and violent extremism

The UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Ben Saul, will visit Côte d’Ivoire from 29 November to 9 December 2024. The Special Rapporteur will assess the extent to which Côte d’Ivoire’s laws and practices to counter terrorism comply with…

Republic of South Africa: The Parliament
Source: Republic of South Africa: The Parliament |

Media Statement: Committee Welcomes Preliminary Investigation Report on Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant System Weaknesses

The system assessment revealed several vulnerabilities, including potential issues with authentication mechanisms, server configurations, data encryption, and missing security headers

The Portfolio Committee on Social Development welcomes the preliminary investigation report confirming the validity of the findings about the vulnerability assessment and penetration testing challenges on the South African Social Security Agency's (SASSA) Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant application and payment system. The system assessment revealed several vulnerabilities, including…

Amnesty International
Source: Amnesty International |

Nigeria: Police used excessive force to violently quash #Endbadgovernance protests

In all cases the victims were shot by the police, firing live ammunition at close range often at the head or torso, suggesting that officers were shooting to kill

Nigerian police used excessive force against protesters during the nationwide #Endbadgovernance demonstrations between 1-10 August, killing at least 24 people in the states of: Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Niger, Amnesty International said in a briefing published today. “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #Endbadgovernance Protests” documents the violent…

Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Source: Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) |

United Nations (UN) torture prevention body makes first-ever visit to Democratic Republic of the Congo

During the visit, the SPT delegation will meet with various authorities, including representatives of the legislature, judges and prosecutors, as well as with UN and civil society entities and will also visit places of deprivation of liberty

The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) is making its first visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 1 to 7 December 2024 to support the State party’s implementation of its torture prevention body. “We commend the DRC for finally establishing its National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), an independent…

Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Source: Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) |

Benin: United Nations (UN) expert welcomes holistic approach to countering terrorism and urges timely justice

Since 2019, hundreds of arrests, many seemingly arbitrary or without adequate notice of reasons for arrest, have been made in connection with terrorism-related crimes

A UN expert today welcomed Benin’s innovative efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism, particularly in its northern regions and called for timely judicial process in terrorism cases, in conformity with international human rights standards. “Benin has demonstrated a forward-looking approach by combining security measures and development strategies,” said Ben…

Republic of South Africa: The Parliament
Source: Republic of South Africa: The Parliament |

Media Statement: Justice and Constitutional Development in Robust Discussion with Legal Practice Council on Disciplinary Matters

The committee heard that the LPC is a non-profit organisation that depends on the levies charged to legal practitioners

The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development today had a robust discussion with the Legal Practice Council (LPC) on disciplinary matters against legal professionals and other challenges. Committee Chairperson Mr Xola Nqola said the committee invited the LPC to Parliament because, as representatives of the public, committee Members have…

Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Source: Human Rights Watch (HRW) |

China State Bank Shouldn’t Back East African Crude Oil Pipeline

Planned Fossil Fuel Project Threatens Human Rights, Drives Climate Change

“We are now drilling.” Uganda’s energy minister recently confirmed at COP29 that the government was pressing ahead with the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). The 1,443-kilometer pipeline will connect oilfields in western Uganda with the port of Tanga in eastern Tanzania. Among one of the world’s largest fossil fuel projects currently under development,…

UN Women - Africa
Source: UN Women - Africa |

How Gender Data is Enabling Better Services for Gender-Based Violence Survivors – A Tale of Five Countries in East and Southern Africa

UN Women data shows that Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest prevalence of child marriage globally with 32 per cent of women who are married or in union having married before the age of 18

Picture this, a young woman and her three children, all under the age of five, is suddenly out in the cold after a violent quarrel with her husband. He has been violent since they got married eight years ago, but this time was different—he had threatened to kill her and…

Parliament of the Republic of Uganda
Source: Parliament of the Republic of Uganda |

Uganda: House Committee okays degree qualification for teachers

The new law is intended to cure teacher absenteeism, ineffective teaching and low qualifications, lack of teacher regulation and lack of standards for the teaching profession, among others

The Committee on Education and Sports has recommended that eligibility for registration as a teacher is a degree in education or a relevant degree, and a post graduate diploma in education for pre-primary, primary and secondary school teachers. The recommendation is contained in the report on the National Teacher’s Bill,…