Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria

[Summer Graduation] On International Human Rights Day (10 December), the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria capped the 25th cohort of the Master’s in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa and the 10th cohort of the Master’s in Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa. Chaired by Justice Sisi Khampepe, Chancellor of University of Pretoria the event honored 40 graduates and 7 doctoral scholars, celebrating years of academic excellence, leadership, and human rights advocacy. 🏆 Special Highlights: Vera Chirwa Award: Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo, for her outstanding contributions to human rights in Africa. 🏆 Top Academic Prizes: - Kéba M’Baye Prize: Merveille De Pâques Mugisha - Nelson Mandela Prize: Oluwatosin Adegun - Victor Dankwa Prize: Laurian Magaka - Ubuntu Prize: Ludo Lone Sekga 💼 Post-Masters Internships at African Union institutions were awarded to: - Merveille De Pâques Mugisha - African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights - Nicholas Cheruiyot - African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights - Zororai Nkomo - African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child 🎓 Doctoral Scholarships awarded to: - Oluwatosin Adegun (HRDA 2024) - Barbara Lamara (HRDA 2023) Acting Director, Prof Nkatha Murungi, and HRDA Director, Prof Frans Viljoen, thanked donors, partners, and graduates for 25 years of transforming the African human rights landscape. 🌍 #HumanRightsDay #HRDA25Years #SRRA10Years #CentreForHumanRights #UniversityOfPretoria #GraduationDay #AfricanHumanRights Global Campus of Human Rights | European Union | University of Pretoria | University Of Pretoria, Faculty of Law 🔗 For more information, please visit: https://lnkd.in/dp-hEJVE

Congratulations to Lindiwe Khumalo, Clerk of the Pan-African Parliament, on receiving the 2024 Vera Chirwa Award! On 10 December 2024, International Human Rights Day, Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo (HRDA Class of 2010, Eswatini) was honored with the Vera Chirwa Award at the 25th graduation ceremony of the Master’s in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa (HRDA) programme, hosted by the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria. This prestigious award recognizes her outstanding contribution to human rights protection and democratisation in Africa. Ms. Khumalo has made history as the first female Clerk of the Pan-African Parliament, championing access to justice, institutional reform, and policy coherence within the African Union and beyond. About the Vera Chirwa Award Named after the legendary Malawian human rights defender, Vera Chirwa, this award celebrates alumni of the HRDA programme who embody the spirit of human rights advocacy and action across the continent. Join us in celebrating Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo’s exceptional achievements and her unwavering dedication to human rights in Africa! Global Campus of Human Rights | University of Pretoria | University Of Pretoria, Faculty of Law #HumanRightsDay #VeraChirwaAward #HRDA25 #PanAfricanParliament #HumanRightsInAfrica

On 6 December 2024, the Centre for Human Rights, University Of Pretoria, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria in partnership with the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency hosted a roundtable discussion marking the 15th anniversary of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention). This hybrid event brought together government representatives, embassies, diplomatic missions, civil society, academics, and regional organisations to discuss advancing durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Southern Africa. The introductory statement was delivered by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Commissioner and Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum seekers, Internally displaced persons and Migrants in Africa, Honourable Selma Sassi-Safer. The keynote address was delivered by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Paula Gaviria Betancur. The key discussions centred around the dire state of internal displacement in Africa and the need for urgent domestication and implementation of the Kampala Convention, the critical role of data-driven policy development and the need for strengthened cooperation between states, UN agencies, and statistical offices to enhance monitoring and solutions. Lastly, the roundtable discussion stressed the need for a multi-stakeholder approach that bridges humanitarian and developmental responses, calling for the engagement of governments, CSOs, regional bodies, and IDPs themselves to translate policy into actionable solutions. As we reflect on the progress made, the event underscored the urgent need for unified, proactive efforts to ensure the Kampala Convention fulfills its transformative potential. #KampalaConvention #KampalaConventionAt15 #IDPs #HumanRights #Collaboration #UNHCR #SouthernAfrica Lloyd Kuveya Mansah Don Amoah Sabeeha Majid Michele Simone fatima khan Mwihaki Kinyanjui Cleve Brethneve Massamba Cristiano d'Orsi Michael Aboneka Vicente Anzellini Ursula Dzietham Chaloka Beyani Chairman Okoloise (LLD) Victoria Ifeoluwa Amaechi

The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, joins the international community in observing International Anti-Corruption Day, which is observed annually on 9 December. The 2024 theme is: ‘Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity’. This year’s focus acknowledges the critical role of young people in combating corruption and fostering a culture of accountability and transparency globally. We reaffirm our commitment to addressing corruption, a persistent challenge that undermines democracy, human rights, and sustainable development. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dYGWvC6R

[New Publication] Pretoria University Law Press (PULP) on 6 December 2024 launched its second of a series of commentaries on African human rights treaties, The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child: A Commentary.  The launch coincided with the 25 year mark since the entry into force of the African Children’s Charter, on 29 November 1999. To date, 51 out of 55 African Union member states have ratified the African Children’s Charter, which demonstrates a growing commitment to respect, protect and promote the rights of children. Download the latest commentaries from here ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dRCqBQcp

[Invitation to Webinar] On Human Rights Day, HURIDOCS will host a webinar to showcase the critical role of documentation and technology in protecting defenders, advocating for the rights of those who are wrongfully detained and supporting those who are detained to claim their rights. Event details 📅 Tuesday, 10 December 2024 ⌚15:30 – 17:00 CET Register on Zoom: https://lnkd.in/dk-B8E7y For more intel, please visit: https://lnkd.in/dFMGVWmU

[Invitation] The Centre for Human Rights commemorates the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child by launching A Commentary on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

[Statement] Centre for Human Rights Welcomes Adoption of the African Commission’s Resolution on Data Access and Human Rights https://lnkd.in/d9r9rJJM

[Invitation: Webinar on Torture-Free Trade] Building upon its partnership and advocacy with the African Commission and other actors concerning the use of force by law enforcement, the Centre invites you to a webinar with the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Assembly, the African Commission and others, discussing the regulation of the trade in equipment that may be used for torture. https://lnkd.in/gimyFYpM