Lawyers For Human Rights

01/09/2026

SAVE THE DATE: 26–27 October 2026, Wits University.

Two days of bold conversations on justice, democracy and public interest law in South Africa.

31/08/2026

📢Media Invitation📢

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SAEditorsForum - SANEF) in partnership with Lawyers For Human Rights and Amnesty International South Africa, cordially invite you to attend an important Panel Discussion on Media Safety examining the readiness of SAPS to safeguard journalists, the implementation of Standing Order 156 governing police relations with the media, newsroom safety protocols, digital threats, legal risks, election-related misinformation, and the broader role of the media in defending democratic accountability during periods of heightened political contestation.

Date: Friday, 04 September 2026
Time: 09:00 for 09:30am -14:30pm
Venue: The Rockefeller Hotel, Cape Town

As South Africa enters what is expected to be an increasingly contested atmosphere, with journalists preparing to operate under immense pressure in environments marked by political tension, intimidation, disinformation campaigns, online harassment, and potential violence in some provinces.

RSVP: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=7_bTDI6gYkahPEySNVLybbenCUanWYNAqzJEVdZPFf1UOEZIR1dVU0UzS0kyT0E5NE9ITkM2R002Vy4u&route=shorturl

Email: [email protected] : 079 029 7656

31/08/2026

Media Invitation

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) in partnership with Lawyers for Human Rights and Amnesty International SA ,cordially invite you to attend an important Panel Discussion on Media Safety examining the readiness of SAPS to safeguard journalists, the implementation of Standing Order 156 governing police relations with the media, newsroom safety protocols, digital threats, legal risks, election-related misinformation, and the broader role of the media in defending democratic accountability during periods of heightened political contestation.

Date: Friday, 04 September 2026
Time: 09:00 for 09:30am -14:30pm
Venue: The Rockefeller Hotel, Cape Town

As South Africa enters what is expected to be an increasingly contested atmosphere, with journalists preparing to operate under immense pressure in environments marked by political tension, intimidation, disinformation campaigns, online harassment, and potential violence in some provinces.

RSVP: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/ZjfSjM8iVn

Email: [email protected] : 079 029 7656

23/08/2026

📢 Joint Statement | Community Leaders To Shape The Future Of Housing And Land Justice At Tshwane Urban Activist School Think Tank 2026

🏠 Housing and land justice must be shaped by the people most affected!

Community leaders, grassroots activists and civil society organisations will come together for the Tshwane Urban Activist School (TUAS) Think Tank 2026 to confront some of the most urgent challenges facing communities across Tshwane, including insecure housing, evictions, inadequate services, unequal access to land and barriers faced by women in securing land, housing and property rights.

As South Africa approaches the 2026 Local Government Elections, the Think Tank creates an important space for communities to strengthen grassroots leadership, engage municipalities, demand accountability and shape practical strategies for housing, land and spatial justice.

The event takes place on 24 August 2026, from 10:00 to 14:00, at St Albans Cathedral, Pretoria Central.

Read the full joint press statement here:
https://www.lhr.org.za/lhr-news/joint-press-statement-community-leaders-to-shape-the-future-of-housing-and-land-justice-at-tshwane-urban-activist-school-think-tank-2026/

Read our concept note here:
https://www.lhr.org.za/lhr-resources/concept-note-tshwane-urban-activist-school-tuas-think-tank-2026/

23/08/2026

22/08/2026

📢 NEW OP-ED | Regulatory failure at the heart of South Africa’s mining

South Africa’s mining crisis cannot be understood simply through the lens of “illegal mining”.

In her latest opinion piece published by Daily Maverick, Lawyers for Human Rights Attorney Phyllia Ngoatje argues that the deeper crisis lies in the state’s failure to properly regulate mine closure, enforce rehabilitation obligations and hold mining companies accountable.

With thousands of abandoned and derelict mines across the country, communities are left to bear the environmental, social and economic consequences of mining operations long after companies have departed.

Phyllia argues that artisanal mining is often a symptom of this regulatory failure and the lack of viable livelihoods, rather than simply a question of individual criminality.

The question we should be asking is not only who is mining illegally, but why are abandoned mines allowed to remain dangerous, unsecured and unrehabilitated in the first place?

Read “Regulatory failure, not criminality, lies at the heart of SA’s mining crisis” by Phyllia Ngoatje on Daily Maverick.

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-08-19-regulatory-failure-not-criminality-lies-at-the-heart-of-sa-s-mining-crisis/?dm_source=blocks-horizontal&dm_medium=card-link&dm_campaign=inform&dm_position=1

21/08/2026

📢NEW OP-ED | The theatre of consequences - Madlanga Commission needs an extended run!

What happens when a Commission of Inquiry does more than expose corruption?

In their latest op-ed published by Daily Maverick, Lawyers for Human Rights National Director Nabeelah Mia and Attorney David Dickinson examine the Madlanga Commission and why its impact cannot end with exposure alone!

They argue that the real test lies in what comes next - accountability, consequences and the prosecution of those implicated in corruption.
The Madlanga Commission has shown what is possible when institutions act with purpose. But the work cannot stop at the final curtain.

As South Africa approaches local government elections, the authors make a case for extending this focus to municipalities, where corruption and institutional failure directly affect people’s everyday lives.

Read the full Op-ed on Daily Maverick:

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-14-theatre-of-consequences-madlanga-commission-needs-an-extended-run/?dm_source=blocks-grid&dm_medium=card-link&dm_campaign=inform&dm_position=3

18/08/2026

📣 FEAST OF THE CLOWNS 2026

Under this year’s theme, RESET! ORGANISE! RISE!, partner organisations are calling on communities, activists, faith leaders, civil society and young people to move from frustration to collective action and join us throughout the month long programme.

Find our Joint Press Statement and the full 2026 programme here:

Read the Press Statement:

https://www.lhr.org.za/lhr-news/joint-press-statement-feast-of-the-clowns-partner-organisations-officially-launch-the-2026-feast-of-the-clowns-campaign/?

Full Programme:

https://www.lhr.org.za/lhr-resources/feast-of-the-clowns-2026/

Come through. Get involved. Bring your voice.
RESET! ORGANISE! RISE!

18/08/2026

📣 FEAST OF THE CLOWNS 2026

Under this year’s theme, RESET! ORGANISE! RISE!, partner organisations are calling on communities, activists, faith leaders, civil society and young people to move from frustration to collective action and join us throughout the month long programme.

Find our Joint Press Statement and the full 2026 programme here:

Read the Press Statement:

https://www.lhr.org.za/lhr-news/joint-press-statement-feast-of-the-clowns-partner-organisations-officially-launch-the-2026-feast-of-the-clowns-campaign/?

Full Programme:

https://lnkd.in/dHzxbVZA

Come through. Get involved. Bring your voice.
RESET! ORGANISE! RISE!

hashtag

18/08/2026

📢 Joint Press Statement | 18 August 2026

The Feast of the Clowns returns in 2026 as partner organisations officially launch this year’s programme, continuing a tradition of community, reflection, activism and speaking truth to power.

For more than two decades, the Feast of the Clowns has created space for communities to confront injustice, challenge systems that fail people and imagine a more just and humane city.

Under this year’s theme - RESET! ORGANISE! RISE! partner organisations are calling on communities, activists, faith leaders, civil society and young people to move from frustration to collective action and join us throughout the month long programme.

Read the full joint press statement here: Joint Press Statement:
https://www.lhr.org.za/lhr-news/joint-press-statement-feast-of-the-clowns-partner-organisations-officially-launch-the-2026-feast-of-the-clowns-campaign/

Find the final programme here:
https://www.lhr.org.za/lhr-resources/feast-of-the-clowns-2026/