FREE STATE CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AT UFS HOSTS INAUGURAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY LECTURE

As South Africa commemorates Human Rights Month, the Free State Centre for Human Rights in the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS) hosted its first Human Rights Day Lecture on 19 March 2025. Read more.

HUMAN RIGHTS AMBASSADORS CELEBRATE HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH 2025

Over the course of March 2025, the human rights ambassadors of the Free State Centre for Human Rights hosted several activities and events in celebration of South Africa’s annual Human Rights Day (21 March).

The East College human rights ambassadors hosted a sip, paint and games afternoon on 14 March 2025. The event aimed to educate and reiterate the significance and history of human rights. A guest speaker started the event with a presentation on the history and importance of Human Rights Day. Thereafter, a game of cahoots was played based on the presentation given by the speaker. After a musical item, the programme closed off with a sip and paint session, where the audience was invited to paint a portrait to express what Human Rights Day means to them.

On 21 March 2025, South College ambassadors hosted a celebratory concert. The concert featured a variety of artistic performances, including music and poetry. West College ambassadors hosted an informative session on Human Rights Day to empower students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in shared living spaces. Through interactive games and a guest speaker, they explored the importance of balancing personal values and rights with respect for others. 

Ambassadors of the North College hosted a successful event focused on democracy, featuring a keynote address by Ms Lerato Ditsela, a UFS Faculty of Law staff member. Her insightful presentation highlighted the importance of democratic participation. The event also showcased a captivating performance by the Decorous Voce choir, whose songs resonated with the theme of democracy and human rights. Furthermore, a Human Rights Jar initiative was launched, which encourages members of the college community to identify areas where human rights can be better promoted. Participants received complimentary human rights booklets.

In celebration of Human Rights Day, Houses Charlotte Maxeke and Fulufhelo and Khayelitsha and Khayalethu at the UFS QwaQwa campus hosted a discussion and presentation commemorating the day. This was followed by an interactive poster-making competition.

Additional activities across all three campuses included a social media video campaign and presentations in UFS residences on the meaning of human rights, an online quiz testing the human rights knowledge of UFS staff and students and a visual celebration of different national commemorative holidays. 

 UFS LAW SCHOLARS CONTRIBUTE TO KEY UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL FORUM IN GENEVA

Human Rights Month in South Africa presents an opportune moment to reflect on the continued importance of the work of the University of the Free State (UFS) Faculty of Law in advancing human rights on a global stage.

Two distinguished academics from the Law Faculty, Prof Serges Kamga, Dean of the Faculty of Law, and Prof Gerard Kamga, Associate Professor in the Free State Centre for Human Rights at the UFS, recently attended the Social Forum of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Social Forum is an annual gathering organised by the UN Human Rights Council to foster open discussions between governments, intergovernmental organisations, civil society, and academic experts. Unlike formal UN meetings, this forum serves as an interactive space for global discussions on human rights issues and sustainable development, specifically focusing on financing for development in Africa. The latest session took place on 31 October and 1 November 2024. Read more.

HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH AT THE UFS: CHAMPIONING EQUALITY AND INCLUSIVITY

As we celebrate Human Rights Month, the University of the Free State (UFS) remains committed to fostering a campus culture where human rights are actively upheld and respected. This ongoing dedication aligns with Vision 130, a guiding principle that drives the UFS’s efforts in creating an inclusive, equitable environment for students, faculty, and staff. Read more.

WATCH: Video on the work of the Free State Centre for Human Rights https://youtu.be/nKmWItNgCpU