OPINION: WE NEED MORE THAN 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS - DR C WESTMAN. Read more.
A JOURNEY OF PRIDE - UFS COMMEMORATES PRIDE MONTH
The Free State Centre for Human Rights at the University of the Free State (UFS), in collaboration with the UFS Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office and intersectional feminist student body The Collective, held a Pride Month Lecture on 17 October 2022 at the Albert Wessels Auditorium on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus to commemorate the very first Pride parade in Africa, which occurred on 13 October 1990. Read more.
FSCHR RESEARCH FELLOW APPOINTED AS UNDP HUMAN RIGHTS RESEARCH CHAIR
Dr Carol Chi Ngang, an NRF category C-2 rated researcher and research fellow at the Free State Centre for Human Rights, University of the Free State was appointed as UNDP Human Rights Research Chair, National University of Lesotho where he is currently affiliated. Read more.
HUMAN RIGHTS AMBASSADORS CELEBRATE HERITAGE DAY AT SUNFLOWER CHILDREN'S HOSPICE
On 24 September 2022, the Human Rights Ambassadors of the Free State Centre for Human Rights celebrated Heritage Day at Sunflower Children's Hospice.
LAUNCH OF PANEL OF INDEPENDENT INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS' REPORT ON ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW COMMITTED AGAINST MUSLIMS IN INDIA
Alarmed by reports of increasing attacks against Muslims in India, three eminent human rights experts formed the Panel of Independent International Experts to examine alleged violations of international law and India’s obligations towards victims. On 24 June 2022, the Free State Centre for Human Rights hosted the launch of the final report. The full report can be read here - Report Final.
TSHEPANG MAHALTSI CHOSEN AS TOP 50 INSPIRATIONAL YOUTH IN THE FREE STATE
Mr Tshepang Mahlatsi, student assistant at the Free State Centre for Human Rights was chosen as part of the Free State Premier’s Top 50 Most Inspirational Youth programme. The Programme recognises young Free Staters who are working hard anywhere in the world, lifting the flag of the Free State while at the same time inspiring other young people to strive for the best. He was honoured for the work he has been doing through his NGO, Next Chapter, which strives for mental health advocacy and awareness in university spaces and the general community.
READ:
Tamsin Metelerkamp, "Tranformative politics" needed in SA's fiscal arena to address drastic inequality (Daily Maverick, 26 May 2022). Read here.
SOCIAL MEDIA, FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND THE LAW: PROTECTING YOURSELF
On Monday, 30 May 2022, our guest speaker, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr John Jeffery, provided a lecture on the topic “Social Media and the Limits on Expressing Yourself”. Under the theme of artistic freedom of expression, the Odeion String Quartet played two short works on the “Quartet of Peace Instruments”. Since October 2021, the Odeion String Quartet of the UFS has become the new custodians of the “Quartet of Peace Instruments” . The four string instruments represent South Africa’s four Nobel Laureates namely Luthuli, Tutu, De Klerk and Mandela and symbolise Freedom, Peace, Reconciliation and Hope.
Click here to watch recording of the event
THE FREE STATE CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONGRATULATES TWO OF ITS EXTRAORIDNRY PROFESSORS - PROF SANDRA LIEBENBERG AND RETIRED JUDGE DENNIS DAVIS - ON RECENT EXTRAORDINARY ACHEIVEMENTS
Prof Liebenberg (the HF Oppenheimer Chair in Human Rights Law and Distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Law of the University of Stellenbosch and an extraordinary professor at the FSCHR since 2021) was awarded the highest possible rating as scholar by the National Research Foundation (an A1 rating), in recognition of her standing as an international leader in her field of human rights law. In addition to confirming her standing as an academic, the rating marks the extraordinarily creative, imaginative and committed contribution that Prof Liebenberg has over many years made through her scholarship and teaching to the transformation of our society to a more just and caring one.
Judge Davis (recently retired as Judge of the High Court and Professor of Law at the University of Cape Town, and an extraordinary professor at the FSCHR since 2019) received an honorary doctorate (LLD honoris causa) from the University of the Free State, on nomination by the FSCHR. The honorary degree recognises Judge Davis’ enormous contribution through scholarship and judicial work to the continuing liberation of South Africa, over a lifetime of distinguished service. Judge Davis is now doctor honoris causa twice over. Few are as deserving.
To both the FSCHR extends its deepest congratulations.
DR GEORGIA DU PLESSIS RECEIVED NRF Y1-RATING
In 2021, Dr Georgia du Plessis, research fellow at the Free State Centre for Human Rights, received the NRF Y1-rating. In "NRF language" this means that Dr Du Plessis qualifies as a young researcher (within 5 years from her PhD) who is recognised by those who reviewed her application as having the potential (demonstrated by research products) to establish herself as a researcher with the potential to become a future leader in her field."
COMMEMORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2022
In celebration of Human Rights Day 2022, The Free State Centre for Human Rights hosted the following human rights events: 1. Debate: Human rights, universities and mandatory vaccination policies On 18 March 2022, the Centre hosted a debate by the candidate attorneys of the University of the Free State Law Clinic. The candidate attorneys participated in teams to provide arguments for and against the implementation of mandatory vaccination policies at institutions of higher learning. Adv Tseliso Thipanyane (CEO of the South African Human Rights Commission) was the guest speaker and provided a comprehensive overview of the position of the South African Human Rights Commission on mandatory vaccination policies. Please click here to watch recording of the debate.
    
2. Human rights quiz The Centre ran an online quiz to test the human rights knowledge of the staff and students of the University of the Free State. Three winners will be announced that will receive a prize of R 500 each. 3. Virtual art exhibition The UFS Art Gallery, in cooperation with the Free State Centre for Human Rights, rehosted the virtual tour of theImages for Human Rightsprint portfolio. The portfolio consists of 29 fine art prints by South African artists depicting the 27 sections of the South African Bill of Rights. The portfolio was produced as part of an initiative by the Artist for Human Rights Trust after the adoption of our nations’ Bill of Rights on 8 May 1996 by the South African Constitutional Assembly. The portfolio is on permanent display at the Free State Centre for Human Rights. 4. South campus activation On Wednesday, 23 March 2022, the human rights ambassadors of the South Campus residences (Toka, Liberty, and Legae) hosted a human rights awareness-raising event for all South Campus students. The evening included an art exhibition, poetry reading, musical performance and a play depicting human rights violations as a result of gender-based violence. The event attracted more than 300 students.
    
5. Human rights pledge On Wednesday, 23 March 2022, the human rights ambassadors of the Free State Centre for Human Rights hosted a pledge-signing and activation campaign. UFS staff and students were invited to commit themselves to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights, within and outside the UFS community. Representatives from other UFS structures and organisations joined the Free State Centre for Human Rights in committing themselves to the fulfilment of the pledge. These included Ms Martie Miranda (Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support), Mr Luvuyo Jacobs (CSRC president), and Mr Delisile Mngadi (Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice). Read the full pledge here.
    
6. Residence art exhibition
UFS residences were invited to submit artwork depicting their vision of human rights. Art pieces were displayed at the Thakaneng bridge on 24 March 2022. Houses Armentum, Tswelopele, Harmony, Arista, Beyers Naude, Khayalami, Legatum, Roosmaryn, Sonnedou, and the Health sciences residence were announced as the winners of the exhibition.
    
7.Human rights ambassadors residence events The Human Rights Ambassadors of the FSCHR hosted several events for residence members in commemoration of Human Rights Day 2022. A series of events kicked-off with a human rights treasure hunt and tea can organised by the residences of Central college. On 21 March 2022, House Roosmaryn hosted a game session and House Vergeet-my-Nie orgainsed a discussion on the topic of human rights and social media. On the same day, House Conlaures hosted a bonfire as a platform to discuss student's right to expression within universities. The Health Sciences residence arranged a discussion and critical analysis of human rights violations in movies on 25 March 2022. The week ended with a human rights awareness-raising event, All human, all equal,hosted by Houses Lehakwe and Tswelopele on 26 March 2022.
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DR NATALIA ANGEL-CABO, A RESEARCH FELLOW IN THE FREE STATE CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, APPOINTED AS JUSTICE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF COLUMBIA
Dr Angel-Cabo, who teaches law at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, Colombia, will serve on the Constitutional Court for a term of eight years. She was elected for the position by the Colombian Senate. Her appointment on the court means that for the first time in its history, the Colombian Constitutional Court will have a majority of women justices. The Free State Centre for Human Rights congratulates Dr Angel-Cabo heartily with this fantastic achievement and looks forward to the contribution she will make in this position to the promotion of human rights, constitutionalism and justice in Colombia. We are very proud to be and remain associated with her.