SAHRC to host seminar on freedom of expression in the context of
religious diversity in South Africa, 14 Mar

10 March 2006

Recent developments in the realm of freedom of expression have signalled the
need for South Africa as an emerging democracy to re-examine once again, the
parameters of free speech and the extent to which the right to freedom of
expression extends in our society.

In February, thousands of Muslims joined in marches in Pretoria, Cape Town
and Durban as part of international protests against the controversial cartoons
of Prophet Mohammed. Whereas this controversy is the latest and most prominent
in the ambit of freedom of expression in the country in recent times, it is by
no means the only one. Controversy has also risen around forms of speech that
have been said to be hurtful or even harmful to gay people, Christians,
non-Christians, Hindus, African Traditional Religion believers and those who
support the right to abortion.

The above scenario forms the immediate background to the seminar organised
by the South African Human Rights Commission on ‘freedom of expression’ in the
context of religious diversity in South Africa: how do we strike the necessary
balance? Leaders of the country’s main religious faiths: the South African
Council of Churches, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, the Muslim
Judicial Council, the House of Traditional Leaders and the South African Hindu
Maha Sabha will speak at the seminar. They will seek to answer the question
whether religion can co-exist with a robust regime of freedom of
expression.

In similar vein, editors of two of the country’s leading newspapers: the
Mail and Guardian and City Press together with a civil society organisation,
the Freedom of Expression Institute will examine the role of freedom of
expression in our society.

Seminar is arranged as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 14 March 2006

Venue: SAHRC’s Training Centre, Human Rights House: 6th Floor, (29 Princess
of Wales Terrace, Cnr York & St Andrews, Parktown, Johannesburg)

Time: 08h30- 13h15

For enquires about the seminar and for press interviews, please contact the
following:

Jody Kollapen
Chairperson, South African Human Rights Commission
Tel: (011) 484 8300 ext 2290
Cell: 083 265 3611

Issued by: South African Human Rights Commission
10 March 2006