“Single Human Rights Body" Feasibility

Call for Written Submissions on a Process to Examine the Feasibility of the Establishment of A “Single Human Rights Body “

In 2006, Parliament appointed an Ad Hoc Committee to undertake a Review of Chapter Nine and Associated Institutions. One of the key recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee was the establishment of a “Single Human Rights Body”, amalgamating the following institutions:

▪ The National Youth Development Agency,
▪ The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities,
▪ The Commission for Gender Equality,
▪ the Pan South African Language Board, and
▪ The South African Human Rights Commission.

The Ad Hoc Committee was of the view that the main advantages to the establishment of a “Single Human Rights Body”, amongst others were:

The avoidance of duplication of effort;

The administrative efficiency and effective use of resources;

Greater accessibility and co-ordinated approach to public awareness of the Bill of Rights.

The Legacy Report of the Fourth Parliament recommended that the Fifth Parliament process the remainder of the recommendations. Currently, a process to examine the feasibility of a Single Human Rights Body is underway, and members of the Public are invited to make submissions pointing at areas to consider during this process.

The Office on Institutions Supporting Democracy and the Knowledge Information Services Division in Parliament are currently undertaking an in-depth Research Study and the public submissions will together with other processes feed into the Research Study.

Comments can be emailed to the Office on Institutions Supporting Democracy (OISD) at [email protected] by no later than Friday, 30 June 2017

Enquiries can be directed to Ms Gcobisa Silwana at [email protected]

Issued by: Mr Kaya Zweni
Head: OISD

Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of Chapter 9 and Associated Institutions
Executive Summary a Report to the National Assembly 2007
Report - Workshop on Report of the Ad Hoc Committee  On the Review of Chapter Nine and Associated Institutions