The 43rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights took place in Swaziland, 7-22 May 2008.
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This newsletter focuses primarily on the Correctional Services Portfolio Committee, from 2004 to 2009.
CSPRI has presented two submissions to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development & the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services.
These guidelines have been developed to aid in the provision of appropriate and quality care for prisoners living with or at risk of HIV infection in detention facilities in southern Africa.
Keep abreast on prison-related issues in South Africa and other African countries by reading media reports on the subject.
Evictions have continued after the end of apartheid and affect the most socially, economically, environmentally and politically disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors of the society, including the poor, women and children, who are engaged in a daily struggle to survive. These evictions at times result in homelessness and, in most instances, they occur in a manner that is incompatible with the fundamental human rights contained in the Constitution as well as other procedural safeguards on evictions.
Download the latest issue of Iminyango. It's feature story contains the findings of the Medical Research Council's HIV prevention programme, "Stepping Stones".
Media topics covered in November's issue include: governance & corruption; unsentenced prisoners; security & escapes; parole & sentencing; conditions of detention and reports about other African countries
A press statement has been issued by the Civil Society Prison Reform Initiative on Prisoner Participation in the upcoming General Elections. This press statement was issued on 26 January 2009.
Media reports on Sentencing & Parole; Unsentenced Prisoners; Security and Escapes; Children; Prison Construction; Governance and Corruption & Prisoners' Rights.
Download the brochure on the Children's Act, which protects all children up to the age of 18 years.
Why talk about torture in post-apartheid South Africa? Is torture not something that we have left in the past? Regrettably torture, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment still takes place in South Africa; this reality did not end on 27 April 1994.
This newsletter focuses primarily on the latest amendment to the Correctional Services Act, which is written by Amanda Dissel (Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation).
Find out all the facts surrounding the current status of HIV in South Africa's prison system.
The Community Law Centre and the Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions intervened as amici curae in the residents of Joe Slovo case. The case was heard in the Constitutional Court on 21 August 2008.
A submission to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child was made by a wide range of NGOs from across the African continent on the particular issue of protecting children from all forms of corporal and other forms of humiliating punishment.
Food is a basic human need. Everyone needs it to survive. Hunger can lead to death. People also need food to lead healthy and active lives. Everyone needs food to be able to grow, learn, perform physical activities, work, and participate in social and political activities. This updated booklet is now available for download in four languages.
The June issue of the ESR Review include articles on: Social security needs to the self-employed in South Africa; Right of access to water in SA; World food crisis; and updates on issues concerning socio-economic rights.
This report entitled, At The Crossroads: Linking Strategic Frameworks to Address Gender-Based Violence and HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa, has been written by Helene Combrinck & Lorenzo Wakefield.
Media reports on new prisoners not tested for contagious diseases, alleged help from warden in prison escape, Minister's concern about the number of awaiting-trail prisoners, proposals needed for private prisons, etc.
During this year’s ‘16 Days of Activism’ Campaign, the Community Law Centre’s Gender Project and the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children are working together to create greater awareness of the issue of gender-based violence against women with disabilities.
The Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu was the guest speaker at this year's Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture.
Topics covered in February's issue include: Governance and Corruption; Prison Gangs; Sentencing and Parole; Prison Construction; Unsentenced Prisoners; Prisoners’ Rights; Elections 2009; Rehabilitation; Security And Escapes and ; Other African Countries.
This issues has media reports on the following topics: sentencing; governance & corruption; and parole; unsentenced prisoners; prison conditions; prison labour, etc.
This November-December 2007 issue focuses on the findings of the research on the role of informal community structures (such as street committees) in determining access to housing for women at risk of gender-based violence and HIV in 3 communities in Cape Town.
This issue has articles on public participation; the minimum core and reasonableness models of reviewing socio-economic rights; a summary of the general comment No 19 on the right to social security & upgrading informal settlements and its impact on the rights of the poor.
Download the latest media reports in prison reform. Reports include issues on governance and corruption; safe custody & torture; unsentenced prisoners; prison construction; etc.
Find out what newspapers reported on in December 2008 & January 2009.
The 1st issue of 2008 is available. Articles in this issue include, Enforcing socio-economic rights as individual rights; Judicial remedies and socio-economic rights; The constitutional protection of those facing eviction from “bad buildings” and various updates on socio-economic rights issues.