The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is a national institution that derives its powers from the Constitution and the Human Rights Commission Act of 1994. The SAHRC has three main functions: ensuring compliance with international treaties, covenants, and conventions; promoting human rights; and investigating complaints made by individuals or organizations who feel their rights have been violated.
The Commission currently has the following mandates:
- Promotion of human rights
- Protection of vulnerable groups
- Promotion of equal opportunities and anti-discrimination
- Monitoring compliance with international treaties, covenants, and conventions. The Commission currently has the following mandates:
Investigation of Complaints
The SAHRC can investigate complaints from individuals, groups, and organisations regarding the violation of any human right. It can also investigate complaints about the violation of any constitutional right.
The Commission’s jurisdiction includes cases where a person alleges that he/she has been unfairly treated because of race, gender or disability. The Commission deals with matters involving discrimination based on sexual orientation and religious belief. All these are matters related to equality and dignity in South Africa’s society
Promotion of Human Rights
The promotion of Human Rights is the core objective of IHRSA. The organization seeks to promote a culture of human rights in South Africa by:
- Promoting Human Rights Education
- Promoting Human Rights Awareness
- Promoting Human Rights Advocacy
- Promoting Human Rights Training
Protection of Vulnerable Groups
The SAHRC has a duty to promote the rights of vulnerable groups, including children and people with disabilities. The SAHRC is also responsible for ensuring that these groups are protected from discrimination.
Promotion of Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination
The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act aims to promote equality, prevent unfair discrimination, and protect against hate speech. The act makes it illegal for anyone to discriminate against you based on race, gender, age, or disability. You can also take action if you’re discriminated against because of your sexual orientation or HIV status.
