ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters
10 June 2012
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) invites members of the media to a National Hearing focusing on issues and challenges relating to the treatment of older persons in Institutionalized care centres.
During the past twenty years in particular there has been a growing awareness that older people are sometimes abused, neglected or mistreated. Older person’s contribution to the development of the society and their contributions as mentors in all aspects of human life are often overlooked. This is an indication of the fact that older people are not the central part of the development agenda of the country.
The Commission has decided to embark on this national hearing arrangement to safeguard for the care and welfare of older persons in the country, and the avenues for their enhancement with a purpose of receiving information and to hear evidence from respondents and other relevant parties relating to the frail care centres or old age homes in South Africa.
And also to analyse evidence that will be brought before the Hearing Panel to make appropriate findings so the Commission can make recommendations.
The hearing is in line with the constitutional mandate of the Commission which includes the role of investigating human rights violations of the rights of older persons in the country.
The hearing will be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday 11 June 2013
Time: 09:00 – 15:00
Venue: SAHRC Head Office in Johannesburg
The hearing will be attended by SAHRC Commissioner Bokankatla Malatji, who is responsible for the rights of the elderly and an external expert Mr Syde Eckley from the University of Pretoria.
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For more details please contact:
Isaac Mangena
Head: Communications
SAHRC
0718848273
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