08 July 2013
South African Human Rights Commission invites members of the Media to a dialogue on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The dialogue will be hosted by Commissioner Bokankatla Malatji, SAHRC Commissioner responsible for Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities.
The Commission remain concerned that despite laws such as the Employment Equity Act , the Promotion of Equality, and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act that aim to protect persons with disabilities, they however remain marginalized. On the other hand, in 2007 South Africa has signed to abide by the CRPD, an international instrument providing protection for people with disabilities.
The Commission constantly receives cases regarding unfair discrimination on the bases of disability.
Some of the cases reported with the Commission in North West include:
North West, Rustenburg school: Child was discriminated at school because she was an albino
North West Mmupele family: Four children of the Mmupele family at Verdwaal village, near Itsoseng died in the veld, reportedly due to hunger and thirst.
North West Suiwerbult Community case: the local Councillor of Suiwerbult informal settlement was selling water to residents.
Details are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 11 July 2013
Venue: SAHRC Offices, Rustenburg, 170 Klopper Street
Time: 08:45 – 13:00
The Commission will use the hearing to assess status of the implementation of the CRPD and other legislations such as Employment Equity Act, the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.
For more information, please contact Wisani Baloyi on 0715418703