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HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH: Safety is not a privilege, it’s a right

29 March 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Valentino Ndaba

Human Rights UFS news — On 22 March 2023 students gathered on the Bloemfontein Campus for a celebration honouring Human Rights Day.

“As people we have the right to feel safe within the environment in which we live, no matter the circumstances. We cannot walk on the streets being fearful of what might transpire. We have the SAPS which has the constitutional obligation to make sure we feel safe. On campus as students, we also have access to Protection Services, which is tasked with ensuring our safety. It is crucial to understand that we have this section 12 right to safety, because safety is not a privilege, it’s a right,” said Lutho Makhofola during a human rights celebration held on the University of the Free State’s Bloemfontein Campus on 22 March 2023.

Lutho, a fourth year LLB student, is one of many Human Rights ambassadors who are part of the Free State Centre for Human Rights (FSCHR) which hosted the Human Rights Day celebration. The ambassadors led a dialogue with other fellow students under the national theme: ‘Consolidating and Sustaining Human Rights Culture into the Future’. In addition to robust discussions, students also tested their knowledge of the with a quiz before signing a pledge committing themselves to becoming livelong advocates for human rights.

Remembering 1960

Dr Annelie De Man, Coordinator in the Advocacy Division of the FSCHR, said the event was about celebrating the present while reflecting on the past. “The aim is to raise awareness around matters of human rights in celebration of Human Rights Day observed on 21 March.”

Human Rights Day in South Africa commemorates the Sharpeville Massacre which took place on 21 March 1960 where 69 died and 180 were injured when police opened fire on a crowd that had gathered to peacefully protest the pass laws. We now have the opportunity to contemplate on South Africa’s road to democracy, the realisation of change, and the advancement of human rights awareness both in the academic setting and society at large since this significant day in our nation's history unfolded 63 years ago.

Significance for students

According to Limeque Redgard, Student Assistant at the FSCHR and a former Human Rights ambassador, the purpose of the FSCHR Human Rights Day commemorative event was to inform and educate students about their rights, particularly the rights that apply to the university setting, to encourage reflection on those rights and how to exercise them responsibly.

“I believe that such events are important for students because we are in such a diverse space within the university, therefore such events bring us together for a common purpose and allow us to celebrate each other's diversity. Furthermore, the goal is to equip students for the world.”

News Archive

University hosts International Feminist Journal of Politics first annual conference

2012-07-31

The university will host the first annual international conference organised by the prestigious international journal International Feminist Journal of Politics.

The conference will take place from 2 to 4 August 2012 on the Bloemfontein Campus and will coincide with national women’s month celebrations. The theme of the conference is “Leaving the Camp – Gender Analysis across Real and Perceived Divides”. Several leading scholars will participate in the proceedings.

Inderpal Grewal, Professor of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Yale University in the United States and author of Transnational America: Feminisms, Diasporas, Neoliberalisms will deliver the keynote lecture entitled “Outsourcing Patriarchy: Media, Violence and Transnational Feminisms”.

Prof. André Keet, Director of the International Institute for Studies in Race, Reconciliation and Social Justice will deliver a keynote address at the Women’s Day Dinner on 2 August 2012. The topic will be "Clean shaven Marx [s]? Rights, Necromancy and Conceptions of Feminist Justice".

In addition, Prof. Amanda Gouws, Professor in the Department of Political Science at Stellenbosch University and also newly appointed Commissioner in the Commission for Gender Equality, will facilitate a feminist methodology workshop on “Working across Disciplinary and Professional Borders”.

The International Feminist journal of Politics offers a unique cross-cultural and international forum to foster debate and dialogue at the intersection of international relations, politics and women’s studies. Developed by a team of leading feminist scholars, this journal brings together some of the most influential figures in the field to build a global critical community of writers and readers.

The lecture by Inderpal Grewal takes place in the Business School Auditorium from 10:45-12:00 on 3 August. The lecture is open to the public, but please take note that space is limited.

For further information, please contact Prof. Heidi Hudson at hudsonh@ufs.ac.za or visit http://ifjp.z2a.co.za.

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