📢 South Africans are still reaching out to us because their
#IDs
are
#blocked
! We made a booklet that gives advice, which is now available in four new SA languages.
Get it here in the language of your choice, and share with anyone you know is struggling:
On this day in 1956, Rahima Moosa, Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Sophia Williams, and 20 000 determined women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, carrying stacks of petitions against pass laws. This is the true spirit of
#WomensDay
. Be inspired!
VICTORY! The
@ConCourtSA
just confirmed the citizenship of 5 clients who were born outside SA, to SA parents, during exile! They returned to SA after democracy, and have been battling
@HomeAffairsSA
ever since. Here is the team at court, with one elated client, Mr Hoffman. 🙌🤩
Meet
@debz_rad
! Deborah Raduba is an attorney in our Land & Housing team. She joined LHR in 2018, but has already done work in all our programmes. Deborah is serious about social justice, and with an LLM in constitutional litigation she is determined to make it happen. 💛
PRESS STATEMENT | The Con Court today confirmed that Section 34 of the Immigration Act is unconstitutional, making personal cost orders against the Minister and DG of
@HomeAffairsSA
for "dreadful" litigation.
💡 Learn more & get the judgment here:
🤩 We are PROUD to wish 2 of our wonderful lawyers,
@thandie_chauke
&
@Jeskaye
, a rich and fruitful summer residence at Oxford University in pursuit of their MSc in International Human Rights Law! We know they will add valuable insights with their Pan-African perspectives. 🌍📚🎓
World court
@CIJ_ICJ
orders Israel to “take all measures within its power” to prevent further bloodshed in Gaza in line with Genocide Convention obligations
#SouthAfrica
v. Israel. The Court also calls for the immediate release of all hostages.
#ProvisionalMeasures
We are thrilled to share that our fearless leader, Sharon Ekambaram, has been shortlisted as a finalist for the prestigious 2023 Mail & Guardian Power of Women Awards! The awards ceremony will be taking place later this afternoon.
#MGPowerofWomen
PRESS STATEMENT: Johannesburg Fire. At Lawyers for Human Rights, we solemnly pause to remember the lives of over 70 individuals tragically lost. We extend our profound condolences to their bereaved families.
BREAKING: The Johannesburg High Court has found the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services 100% liable for damages arising for acts of assaults and torture as contemplated in the Prevention and Combating of Torture of Persons Act 13 of 2013
LHR is deeply saddened by the loss of anti-apartheid activist and Rivonia trialist, Denis Goldberg, who passed away late last night at the age of 87. Imprisoned for 22 years, for being on the side of justice, but never stopped fighting for what is right. Rest in Peace. 🙏
The attacks on patients at Jeppe's Clinic are illegal.
Lawlessness & scapegoating of migrants is not the answer to state neglect!
📢 LHR stands with partners organisations and the Collective Voices against Health Xenophobia in calling on the state to act.
📢UPDATED: There is huge concern about ABUSE OF POWER by
@SAPoliceService
and the military during
#LockdownSA
, with reports of violent deaths. But what can you do if this abuse happens to you, or you see it happening to someone else? Here are some answers!
We are SO PROUD that one of our most renowned former directors has been appointed to the CC bench! 🤩👏
"He's always been on the right side of history, even at times when it was not convenient to do so and sometimes dangerous to do so.” -
@Zwncube
📢 An incredible victory for asylum-seekers and special-permit holders, who will now be able to apply for the
#Covid19
Social Relief of Distress grant! Thank you,
@ScalabriniCT
! 💛🌍
#DidYouKnow
that plastic can destroy rape evidence on clothing?
It is up to you whether or not to report a rape. Regardless, you might want to preserve the medical evidence on your clothes. If so, it should be wrapped in newspaper, NOT a plastic bag.
#GBV
#KnowYourRights
Icon Justice Yvonne Mokgoro, our first black woman judge & Con Court powerhouse, has passed. We celebrate her trailblazing life, dedicated to human rights, social justice, & ubuntu: You broke barriers, Judge. You made us better. Rest in peace. 🕯️🕊️ ❤️
[PRESS STATEMENT] We welcome the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal upholding the right of our client, the South African History Archive, to access information on investigations into fraud and corruption during the
#Apartheid
era. 💡
An iconic human rights defender has left us.🕯 We are devastated, but so grateful for
#ArchbishopTutu
's life and activism for the most vulnerable. The Arch spoke truth to power, and added deed to word. May his wisdom & compassion inspire generations to come. Go well, Ntate. 💛
LHR was proud to hear SA's powerful submissions at the
@CIJ_ICJ
, detailing the serious human rights violations in
#Gaza
, and emphasizing the importance of upholding international human rights law to protect lives. Congratulations to
@DIRCO_ZA
and its incredible legal team!
LHR bids a warm, and very grateful farewell to Justice Edwin Cameron today. A life dedicated to
#socialjustice
,
#humanrights
, and
#equality
for the most vulnerable! A judge who epitomised respect for human
#dignity
. Judge, we will miss you, and will strive to honour your legacy.
This is what an inclusive, feminist workspace looks like. ✊ We love that children are a part of our community, and that LHR parents feel safe to bring them to work when they need it.
@kayan_leung
shining on in our engagement with
@RainbowrefugeA
today. 🌈
LHR is in the Cape High Court today representing Jade September, a transgender woman in a men's prison. She is seeking remedies for unfair discrimination, that could change the prison system for transgender inmates.
Meet Nyiko Manyusa! Born in Limpopo, Nyiko joined us in 2019 as a paralegal in our Musina office. People-centered service is his passion & his problem-solving talent soon led to his appointed as attorney in our JHB office. Champ of our lock-down helpline when C19 first struck. 💛
🎉 We are celebrating 45 yrs of unwavering commitment to
#humanrights
! 🎉
Since 1979, Lawyers for Human Rights has been at the forefront of advocating for
#equality
and
#justice
in SA. ✊🇿🇦 We want to honour our proud history, and tell you the story of LHR.📜✨
#LHR45Years
PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA APPOINTS JUSTICE MANDISA MAYA AS CHIEF JUSTICE
President
@CyrilRamaphosa
has, in terms of Section 174(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, appointed current Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya as Chief Justice of the Republic of South
As we approach Level 4
#LockdownSA
, we anticipate some confusion and misinterpretation of the new regulations, which are yet to be published. Remember that Public Interest Law organisations are here to help! 📞
📢EVICTIONS DURING
#Covid19
#LOCKDOWNSA
ARE ILLEGAL! Regulation 11CA states: "No person may be evicted from their place of residence, regardless of whether it is a formal or informal residence or a farm dwelling, for the duration of the lockdown."
📢We were in court today at 11:00, and very happy to report that the Judge, ordered the state in VERY strong terms to release our clients no later than today! ⚖️
The latest news on our two
#wastepicker
clients, being unjustly detained. What is a
#HabeasCorpus
application? It's when you ask a court to order that a person under arrest must be brought, from wherever they are being held, before a judge or into court.
[Judgement] Today the
@ConCourtSA
ruled in favour of the Lesethleng Community arguing that having a mining right does not surpass the rights of those that are currently occupying the land
LHR is shocked & saddened by the sudden death of
#EusebiusMcKaiser
. He was many things, including a
#humanrights
activist & true ally to marginalised people. His outspoken intellect, strong sense of justice, & compassion will be sorely missed. 🕯️
Image: Oupa Bopape, Gallo
[BREAKING] Today
@ConCourtSA
handed out an order declaring the exclusion of
#DomesticWorkers
from
#COIDA
as unconstitutional. The declaration of invalidity applies retrospectively to provide relief to other domestic workers who were injured or died at work prior to this order.
LHR is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Zonke Majondina. Her life & career were in service of
#HumanRights
. A distinguish academic, clinician, researcher & author, she served on the
@SAHRCommission
,
@UN
Human Rights Commitee, & many more. May she rest in power.🕯️💛
No human is illegal and yet the media often uses the term “illegal foreigner” to refer to someone who is living in SA without documentation. This is not only dehumanising but also incorrect and replaces a complex legal circumstance with an assumption of guilt.
@CitizenJusticeN
Today is
#WorldHealthDay2020
🌍This year we must celebrate healthcare workers more than ever! And who are the majority of healthcare workers, home-based & primary carers?
#WOMEN
. That means women are the majority of first responders, and at greatest risk of contracting
#COVID19
.
📢 JOB OPPORTUNITY | We are looking for a dynamic Legal Researcher to support our Strategic Litigation Programme in our Johannesburg office!
Find out if you qualify, and how to apply:
📢 JOB OPPORTUNITY | We are looking for an
#attorney
with at least 3 yrs post-admission experience to join our Strategic Litigation team! The position, based in Gauteng, is focused on
#WorkersRights
.
📲 Find out if you qualify, and how to apply:
Today, we filed an additional affidavit that included these pictures of our clients sleeping outside since Saturday night, to show the court that they are currently homeless.
VICTORY!
The Western Cape High Court has ordered that
@CityofCT
return the applicants’ building materials which the city confiscated during the 9th & 11th April demolitions in
#EmpolweniCT
.
From intern, to candidate, to attorney at LHR! And for her next move, clerk at the
@ConCourtSA
🌟 Thank you for choosing us,
@debz_rad
. Your LHR family is beyond proud of you. ❤️
The High Court has dismissed an attempt by the Department of Home Affairs to take away a stateless child's right to citizenship. Maria (not her real name) is only 11, and has been fighting for her right to a nationality for 6 years.
#EndStatelessness
📢Our Statelessness team is in the
#ConstitutionalCourt
today! In a nutshell, if you are a SA citizen born outside of SA, the Court will decide if you remain citizens.
📢 PRESS STATEMENT | We call on
@HomeAffairsSA
to withdraw its unacceptable White Paper on Citizenship, Migration and Refugee Protection!
🗞️Our statement:
📝Our submission:
🗣️This is Home youth submission:
The moment you realise the future of
#HumanRights
law looks bright because, according to
@BusinessTechSA
, we are one of the Top 10 organisations for which people really want to work in SA! 👏🤩
We couldn't be more proud & grateful to those who believe in us and support us.
We are incredibly proud of
@Jeskaye
who is recognized as one of the
@mailandguardian
#MG200Young
trailblazers & leaders! 🤩👏🏾 We are lucky to have you on our team, Jess. Thank you for your professionalism, awesome work ethic, and exceptional client care.
🎙️Yesterday our Pretoria law clinic had the pleasure of addressing
#HealthCare
#SocialWorkers
on the management of foreign nationals and their
#MedicalRights
. 🤩 Busting myths, and empowering the front-lines! ✊ Thank you for including us,
@GautengHealth
.
Meet
@Charne_Tracey
! Charne joined us in 2018 & works as an attorney in our JHB office. She has a busy practice in the Strategic Litigation Programme, and is doing her LLM in
#HumanRights
too! 👏 Likes: meaningful work that changes lives. Dislikes: lack of attention to detail.💛
LHR’s own
@thandie_chauke
and LHR client Primrose Modisane are addressing the Home Affairs Parliamentary Portfolio Committee about
#statelessness
today.
Meet
@Tshego_Here
! Tshego Mothapo joined LHR in 2018 & is our legal researcher in the JHB office. She hails from Limpopo & has a human rights
#LLM
.
#ChildrensRights
&
#statelessness
have stolen her heart. She says there's nothing like helping a child get a birth certificate.💛
🎉 WE ARE 45 THIS YEAR! 🎉
LHR wouldn't be what it is today without its clients, alumni, and friends. As part of our 45th birthday celebrations, we are collecting your stories and memories of LHR over the years. Got one? Tell us about it in this form✏️
📢 Applications are open for the inaugural Pius Langa Memorial Fellowship at UCL!
A new fellowship programme to benefit young lawyers in South Africa committed to forwarding constitutional and human rights law in South Africa and Africa.
Find out more!
📢 ATTENTION: Registration for
#PublicInterestLawGathering2021
is NOW OPEN!
You can register at:
This year, we are talking
#COVID19
and social justice. Participation is free. 😀
📢 OUR IMMIGRATION DETENTION HOTLINE IS LIVE!
LHR &
@ScalabriniCT
have worked together to make sure anyone in SA being detained because of their immigration status can get legal help quickly & easily. ⚖️
We are grateful to
@porticusglobal
for helping us to make this happen. 💛
The Johannesburg High Court has declared section 13(7)(c) of the SAPS Act unconstitutional. Congratulations to
@SERI_RightsSA
and their clients!! We argued, as a friend of the court, that the Act was used to infringe the rights of vulnerable communities.
📢
#PressStatement
| “We are happy that we will see an end to this unjust practice and we hope that this judgment will be the first steps in restoring dignity to the thousands of people who have suffered.”
#UnblockMyID
#UnlockMyLife
Find out more:
Today the Pretoria High Court will hear a challenge to the state's longstanding failure to combat toxic air pollution caused by coal-fired power projects. LHR represents UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights and Environment, as a friend of the court. 🌍
LHR will be in the Cape High Court tomorrow on an urgent basis, representing the
#Strandfontein
Homeless Action Committee, against the City of Cape Town. ⚖️ You can read more about the case here: