The chapter one of the South African Constitution and bill of rights outlines the protection of human rights. The protection mechanisms are also called the 'state institutions supporting constitutional democracy' in the Constitution. Chapter 9 of the Constitution has created seven institutions for protecting peoples' rights and for making sure that the government does its work properly. The CRL Rights Commission is amongst the seven institutions mandated to protect human rights.
The CRL Rights Commission in short is the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities. Its purpose is to promote and protect the rights of different cultural, religious and language communities. It must promote and develop peace, tolerance and national unity amongst these communities on the basis of equality, non-discrimination and freedom of association.
During the month of March the CRL Rights will be celebrating Human Rights under theme "Cultural, religious and linguistic rights are also human rights"
The theme serves to remind communities of their cultural, religious and linguistic rights also encouraging the preservation of the diminishing heritage and history of all living in South Africa.
The Commission will be working throughout the Human Rights Month by educating and advocating for cultural, religious and language rights. The following are some of the activities the Commission will be focussing on during this month.
| No | Activity | Venue | Dates |
| 1 | Provincial seminars in Limpopo: Burial rights, Do the Dead have rights | Gauteng | 23 March 2012 |
| 2 | Reviewing Children's Act to accommodate cultural, religious and linguistic rights | Gauteng | 9 March 2012 |
| 3 | Launch of the 30 days campaign against witch hunts | KZN-Durban | 29 March 2012 |
| 4 | Meeting traditional healers regarding witch hunts and killingof elderly people | Tshwane, Freedom Park | 14 March 2012 |
| 5 | The ratification of sacred sites in KwaZulu-Natal | Durban | 5 March 2012 |
| 6 | Monitoring the implementation of Commission's recommendations on the use of language in education, | Pietermaritzburg | 6 March 2012 |
| 7 | Unpacking the law and practices around graves in Limpopo | Limpopo | 29 March 2012 |
| 8 | The launch of community councils in the Northern Cape | Northern Cape, Upington | 10 March 2012 |
| 9 | The launch of the Griqua community in Gauteng | Gauteng, Edenvale | 22 March 2012 |
| 10 | Launch of community councils in the Eastern Cape in the areas of Lusikisiki, Umtata, Eastern Pandoland, Ncqudo and Ncadu | Eastern Cape, Lusikisiki,Umtata, Eastern Pandoland, Ncqudoand Ncadu | 24-27 March 2012 |
| 11 | School visits: Visiting high schools to introduce the CRL Rights Commission to teachers and learners in various provinces. | Nelspruit, Northern Cape and North West province | March 2012 |
For further enquiries about the statement and media interviews please contact:
Ms Botle Nchupetsang
Communication and Marketing Officer
Cell: 083 233 1538
Tel: 011 537 7625
