Request for open session of Joint Committee
Almost two months after former deputy higher education and training minister Mduduzi Manana was found guilty of three counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, after assaulting three women on 6 August 2017, Sonke Gender Justice (‘Sonke’) notes with extreme disappointment that he remains a Member of Parliament. Sonke calls for the […]
Breach of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests for Assembly and Permanent Council Members by Honourable Member Mduduzi Manana
In the early hours of the morning on 6 August 2017, Mr Manana, by his own admission, physically assaulted Ms Mandisa Duma and at least one other person at a nightclub in Fourways, Johannesburg. Ms Duma subsequently laid criminal charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm against Mr Manana with the South […]
Complaint against Deputy Minister of Police – Mr Bongani Mkongi
The Complainants allege that the statements by the Deputy Minister are xenophobic, hurtful and harmful to all foreign nationals in South Africa and are unbecoming of a servant of the State who should serve and protect all who live in South Africa – including those who fled their own country’s human rights abuses, and sought […]
SAHRC – Redacted Complaint
Our complaint is regarding the statements made by the Deputy Minister of Police, Bongani Mkongi, on 14 July 2017 while visiting Hillbrow Police Station in Johannesburg.
Open letter to the national deputy minister of police
Sonke joins in support of the South African Human Rights Commission in condemning the dangerous utterances by the National Deputy-Minister of Police, Bongani Mkongi, about immigrants and refugees. We believe that Mkongi’s statements are xenophobic and unbecoming of a leader in the State who should serve all who live in South Africa.
Our concern regarding xenophobic statements
The Hate Crimes Working Group (HCWG) is a multi-sectoral network of 35 civil society organizations set up to spearhead advocacy and reform initiatives pertaining to hate crimes in South Africa and the region. Members of the network work in diverse sectors. We, together with the signatories below, are writing to express our grave concern over […]
Submission to Speaker of the National Assembly on Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Draft Bill
The Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act No 92 1996 (CTOPA) and The Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Act No 1 2008 were enacted to give content to women’s rights in the South African Constitution. The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) Private Members Bill introduced 20 years since the passage of our CTOPA is […]
Call to discipline Deputy Minister of Police for xenophobic statements
The Hate Crimes Working Group (HCWG) is a multi-sectoral network of 35 civil society organizations set up to spearhead advocacy and reform initiatives pertaining to hate crimes in South Africa and the region. Members of the network work in diverse sectors, namely in LGBTI rights; migrants, refugees and asylum seekers rights; gender based entities and […]
Written Submission to the High Level Panel on the Assessment of Key Legislation and the Acceleration of Fundamental Change
Executive Summary and Recommendations Sonke Gender Justice (‘Sonke’) is currently involved in a broad range of advocacy work aimed at creating the necessary change for men, women, young people and children to enjoy. Advocacy around each of its projects often has components addressing hate crimes, race, class, gender discrimination and xenophobia and creating and recommending […]
Submission to Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services on Traditional Courts Bill
Sonke Gender Justice (Sonke) is a non-profit, human rights and social justice organisation that strives to achieve gender equality in South Africa by building capacity and mobilising communities. Sonke works to create the change necessary for women, men, young people and children to enjoy equitable, healthy and happy relationships that contribute to the development of […]
Prevention and Combatting of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill
The Hate Crimes Working Group (HCWG) welcomes the opportunity to make submissions on the draft Prevention and Combatting of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill (the Bill). We also wish to heartily congratulate the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ) on this draft Bill, which has been long-awaited by civil society.The HCWG is a […]
Submission To Department of Trade and Industry On Draft Liquor Amendment Bill, 2016
Sonke Gender Justice (‘Sonke’) welcomes the opportunity to provide public comment on the draft Liquor Amendment Bill, 2016 (‘the Bill’) to the Department of Trade and Industry (‘the Department’). Sonke is a non-profit, human rights and social justice organisation that strives to achieve gender equality in South Africa by building capacity and mobilising communities. Sonke […]
27th Session of the Universal Periodic Review United Nations Human Rights Council
This report is submitted by The Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL) and the Sexual Rights Initiative in collaboration with People opposing women Abuse (POWA), Sex worker education and advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT), Sonke Gender Justice and the WISH Associates. CAL acknowledges the important role played by international human rights oversight bodies in monitoring the promotion, protection […]
Consultation seeking views on UN Women approach to sex work, the sex trade and prostitution
UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the UN Charter, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women, and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, and peace and security. UN Women is, at its core, engaged […]
A Report Submitted for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Universal Periodic Review of South Africa
The Detention Justice Forum (‘DJF’) is a coalition of civil society organisations working to ensure that the rights and well-being of all detainees are respected and upheld, as enshrined under the South African Constitution, laws, and international human rights norms and standards. Our membership includes non-governmental organisations, community organisations, lawyers, and academics with varied individual […]
Submission to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services
Prison oversight mechanisms are vital to the protection and promotion of inmates’ human rights. The Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (“JICS”) therefore is an important and necessary institution. However, in order for JICS to be effective, it requires strong independence and a clear mandate to fulfil its functions. Sonke Gender Justice is concerned that it […]
Detention Justice Forum endorsement of nomination of Firoz Cachalia for the position of Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission
Detention Justice Forum endorsement of nomination of Bonita Meyersfeld for the position of Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission
Detention Justice Forum endorsement of nomination of Elroy Paulus for the position of Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission
Detention Justice Forum endorsement of nomination of Jacob van Garderen for the position of Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission
Submission to The Portfolio Committee of Labour on The Labour Laws Amendment Bill
Sonke and Mosaic’s interest in the Bill stems from our objective to attain gender equality in parenting through the involvement of men as equal parenting partners and caregivers in the interest of creating equitable, healthy relationships for the benefit of the entire family. The organisations consistently lobby for law reform for the legal provision of […]
Western Cape Government Draft Community Safety Regulations 2015
The Western Cape Community Safety Act 2013 was assented to on 5 April 2013 as Act No. 3 of 2013. By publication in the Provincial Gazette Extraordinary 7547 dated Friday 11 December 2015, an invitation was made for public comments on the Draft Community Safety Regulations 2015 to be submitted by 15 February 2016. Marlise […]
Preliminary Position on the draft Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity Bill
This document serves as the Right2Know Campaign’s preliminary response to the draft Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity Bill (“the Cybercrimes Bill” or “the Bill”). The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development gazetted the draft Bill in August 2015, inviting public comments by 30 November 2015. Sonke Gender Justice has officially endorsed the Right2Know’s response to the Bill.
Joint Submission on the Draft White Paper on Safety and Security
At the outset, we welcome the opportunity to make written submissions on the Draft White Paper on Safety and Security and wish to thank you for extending the deadline for submissions to allow our position to be considered in the finalisation process. This is a joint submission, resulting from a joint workshop process at which […]
