• Human Rights in South Africa
    Despite immense progress since South Africa became a democracy, concerns abound about certain Bills that, if enacted, would negatively affect civic and political space, in turn affecting human rights -- including media freedom and access to justice. Also, the government’s failure to effectively deliver water, sanitation, and adequate housing to the most vulnerable in society has resulted in many service delivery protests and a subliminal intolerant discourse. South Africa grapples with increasing corruption and maladministration within state institutions. However, constitutional institutions supporting rule of law and human rights continue to work to expose incidents of corruption and push for transparency, accountability, and oversight.
  • Police look on as women carry placards in protest against the killing of miners by the South African police on Thursday, outside a South African mine in Johannesburg on August 17, 2012.
    © 2012 Reuters
    South Africa: Broaden Inquiry Into Miner Killings
    The South African government should ensure that the Commission of Inquiry into the killings of the Lonmin miners in Marikana on August 16, 2012, is independent, impartial, and investigates the underlying circumstances that led to the killings. The inquiry should not be limited to whether the use of lethal force by police was lawful.
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South Africa

  • The disabled often are denied information about sex and HIV
    Dec 1, 2012
    Over a billion people — 15 percent of the world’s population — live with a disability. These numbers should confer power and authority in decision making about all aspects of their lives, including to HIV and AIDS. Yet people with disabilities have been largely ignored in the global response to HIV.
  • South Africa can contribute to ending bloodshed in Syria
    Nov 27, 2012

    To limit the violations by both sides and ensure justice for victims, South Africa and other key members of the international community should support the referral of Syria to the International Criminal Court.

  • De Doorns Strikes Show Urgent Need for Farm Worker Protections
    Nov 22, 2012
  • Crisis calls for Bill's swift passage
    Nov 1, 2012
    Busisiwe's story was only one of many tragic stories we heard while researching a report about maternal mortality. But it is a prime illustration of why the National Health Amendment Bill, published in January last year, needs to become law, and quickly. The Bill is designed to address key shortcomings in the monitoring and oversight of the health system. Among other things, it would make several changes to the office of standards compliance, tasked with developing quality standards for the health sector and monitoring them.
  • UN Human Rights Council: Adoption of the Outcome of South Africa's UPR
    Sep 20, 2012
    Human Rights Watch welcomes the UPR report on South Africa, which includes important recommendations concerning South Africa’s full compliance with international human rights law, the progressive realization of economic and social rights, protecting freedom of expression, and upholding women’s rights and the rights of vulnerable groups.
  • Protecting the domestic front
    Sep 14, 2012

    It would be a wonderful gift for the many domestic workers if a treaty, which could signal better protection of their rights, was signed before Christmas. 

  • South Africa: NPA still wrong in Lonmin matter
    Sep 4, 2012
    Despite the withdrawal of the charges on Sunday by South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to charge 270 arrested mine workers for the killings of their colleagues, the initial decision to charge them in respect of the doctrine of common purpose is a perverse application of the law and that may have had the consequence of exacerbating tensions at Lonmin Mine in Marikana, North Western Province.
  • South Africa: Broaden Inquiry Into Miner Killings
    Aug 22, 2012
    The South African government should ensure that the Commission of Inquiry into the killings of the Lonmin miners in Marikana on August 16, 2012, is independent, impartial, and investigates the underlying circumstances that led to the killings. The inquiry should not be limited to whether the use of lethal force by police was lawful.
  • Malawi's Bashir Bashing is an Example for Africa
    Aug 10, 2012
    The new Malawi government took an important step in June when it indicated it could not host the African Union summit if it meant welcoming President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan to its territory, given that he is an International Criminal Court suspect for crimes committed in Darfur. This is a key acknowledgment of the court’s work 10 years into its existence and takes a firm stand at a time when many Africans are criticizing the court for what is seen as an anti-Africa bias in its attempts to bring to trial government leaders and others allegedly responsible for the gravest crimes — genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity
  • Africa: Clinton Should Urge Leaders to Address Abuse
    Aug 1, 2012
    Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on her trip to Africa should promote freedom of expression and association and encourage countries to address police and security force abuses, Human Rights Watch said in a public letter today. Secretary Clinton is scheduled to visit Senegal, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa between July 31 and August 10, 2012.
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