Entries by HCWG

Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee Ignores King Zwelithini’s Hate Speech

25 November 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PARLIAMENTARY AD HOC COMMITTEE IGNORES KING ZWELITHINI’S HATE SPEECH This week, the Parliamentary Ad hoc Committee on Probing Violence against Foreign Nationals released its report on its investigations into the xenophobic attacks that occurred in April and May 2015. Sonke Gender Justice (Sonke) and Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) […]

Homicides of Transgender Women in U.S. Reach Alarming High

View the original article HERE There have been 22 killings so far this year of transgender or gender-nonconforming people For a few transgender Americans, this has been a year of glamour and fame. For many others, 2015 has been fraught with danger, violence and mourning. While Caitlyn Jenner made the cover of Vanity Fair and […]

Court victory in war against racism

View the original article HERE By: SHERLISSA PETERS Durban – It was a victory for the war against hate speech on Tuesday when the Pietermaritzburg High Court confirmed an interdict against Phumlani Mfeka, a former member of the so-called Mazibuye African Forum, preventing him from advocating hate speech and inciting violence, particularly against the Indian […]

Survey – Research Project for OUT.org.za

Hi there! The following survey http://tinyurl.com/o8a9ptx forms part of a research project that is being conducted by various LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) organisations countrywide. The aim is to gain better insights into discrimination experienced by LGBT individuals in South Africa. The results will inform interventions aimed to better the quality of life for LGBT […]

IAM Public Statement

Dear IAM Supporters and Allies Public Statement Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM) applauds the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) General Synod for their stance taken on the 9th of October 2015 in allowing a season of healing to enter the Church for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people marginalised for centuries. The decision […]

“Nauseated” anti-gay ACDP politician accused of fueling violence

To view the original article please CLICK HERE A Western Cape politician, who was “nauseated” by the thought of educating high school students about homosexuality, has been accused of perpetuating a climate of violence against LGBTI people. African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) MPL Ferlon Christians told the Western Cape Provincial Parliament last week that offering […]

Outrage over albino woman’s death

The original article can be found HERE. Durban – The Albinism Society of South Africa expressed outrage on Wednesday over the murder of a 20-year-old albino woman in Maputaland. The dismembered body of Thandazile Mpunzi was found in a shallow grave in Manguzi on Sunday. Her family had reported her missing earlier this month. It […]

Failure to address king’s comments on foreign nationals disappointing

CLICK HERE for the original article. The Hate Crimes Working Group is disappointed by the decision of Parliament’s ad hoc joint committee on probing violence against foreign nationals not to address King Goodwill Zwelithini regarding his comments earlier this year about foreign nationals. In the wake of another surge of xenophobic violence earlier this year‚ […]

Ad Hoc Committee on Probing Violence against Foreign Nationals

CLICK HERE for the original article. Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Probing Violence Against Foreign Nationals The Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Probing Violence against Foreign Nationals was established by the National Assembly on 6 May 2015 and by the National Council of Provinces on 7 May 2015. The Committee is inquiring into the incidence […]

Please, mind your language

CLICK HERE for the original article. Human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms. This is a core value on which the Constitution is founded. Who doesn’t want to live in a country founded on such a noble base? It sounds like the Promised Land after all — especially […]

CGE welcomes the sentencing of Stoffel Pule Motlhokwane

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) welcomes the decision of the High court sitting in Potchestroom wherein the presiding officer Judge Kruger, sentenced Stoffel Pule Motlhokwane for the murder of Disebo Gift Makau who was a member of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgendered and Intersexed (LGBTI) community in Ventersdorp. The Commission believes that the life […]

Northern Cape premier to appear in court for hate speech

The original article can be read here: CLICK HERE Kimberley – Northern Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas will appear in the Equality Court in Upington next week to defend herself against accusations that she used the word “hotnot”. “This case is about the dignity of our people. She must apologise to the community unreservedly on all […]

Emergency Coalition announces People’s March Against Xenophobia

Emergency Coalition announces People’s March Against Xenophobia 19 April 2015 Johannesburg – The recent xenophobic attacks that have gripped South Africa have shamed the country, and sent shockwaves far beyond our borders. The attacks present a picture of South Africans to the world that suggests we are barbaric, violent and murderous. Representatives from social justice […]

Hate Crimes Affect All South Africans – HCWG Press Statement

Press Release issued on Monday 13 April, 2015 Hate Crimes Affect All South Africans – Let’s Work Together to Foster Tolerance and Respect The Hate Crimes Working Group (HCWG) is truly saddened by the current culture of hatred and violence in South Africa.  Intolerance has become endemic and all people in South Africa – civil, […]

MEDIA UPDATE: JUSTICE, CRIME PREVENTION AND SECURITY (JCPS) CLUSTER MEDIA BRIEFING STATEMEN

MEDIA STATEMENT JUSTICE, CRIME PREVENTION AND SECURITY (JCPS) CLUSTER MEDIA BRIEFING STATEMENT The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) notes with deep concern the unfolding incidents of violence and lawlessness in some parts of our country.  We want to assert government’s position that any lawlessness will not be tolerated.  Government will not hesitate to […]

No Place Like Home – Al Jazeera

The original article can be read here: CLICK HERE In May 2008, 62 people were killed in a wave of xenophobic attacks across townships. Foreign nationals, mostly migrants from Somalia and Ethiopia,  were dragged through the streets of Alexandra, barely a few kilometers from Johannesburg’s plush Sandton suburb, and “necklaced” –  a throwback to the […]

Human Rights Day Message from HCWG

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY MESSAGE: HATE CRIMES THREATEN EVERYONE The Hate Crimes Working Group (members listed below) and Peace Action, are concerned about the growing climate of violence in South Africa. The frequent and vicious outbreaks of xenophobic violence, violence against women and violence against the LGBTQI community, to name a few, are threatening the security […]

Kathrada: We need real leadership to beat racism and xenophobia

The original article can be read here: CLICK HERE For some reason, there is dogged resistance by the ANC and government against classifying the violence and looting in Soweto and other areas around Johannesburg as xenophobia. Although most of the looting was directed at foreign-owned shops and foreign nationals have fled the affected areas in […]

Xenophobic looting: ‘The country must look’

The original article can be read here: CLICK HERE It hasn’t become an epidemic yet, but it has spread. Xenophobic looting left Soweto to other parts of Gauteng and even the country over the weekend. GREG NICOLSON & BHEKI C. SIMELANE visit Zamimpilo, where two people were killed and one family hopes to build on […]