SAHRC and APCOF hosts Dialogue on Human Rights and Policing
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) together with the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF) will host a joint dialogue on human rights and policing in South Africa on 2 and 3 May 2018.
The dialogue on will bring together role players in policing, including the government, oversight bodies, Chapter 9 institutions, and civil society organisations (CSOs), to gather and discuss key issues pertaining to policing and human rights in South Africa. The dialogue will further contribute towards building a South African consensus on promoting human rights in policing. It seeks to lay emphasis on principles of democratic policing and citizenry participation and the value of human rights. The Deputy Minister of Police Hon Bongani Michael Mkongi will deliver the keynote address.
The main goal of the dialogue on human rights and policing is to:
- Convene a broad based dialogue between CSOs and government stakeholders to contribute towards building a South African consensus on the substance and process of implementing the new police policy architecture.
- Emphasise the central nature of human rights in policing. The dialogue will similarly aim to:
- Create a space for constructive discussion between various stakeholders from South Africa and offer a space for CSOs to engage on human rights-related policing issues;
- Support and encourage South African CSOs' contributions and inputs in policy developments including those emanating from the state of the nation address with a particular emphasis on strengthening good human rights practice by the police;
- Encourage stakeholders to share experiences and comparative analysis of human rights in the policing context;
- Forge a common understanding of key policy concepts and imperatives such as demilitarisation, code of ethics, Police board etc and the means for implementation of the recommendations contained therein.
The national dialogue will be hosted at the following venue:
Date: 2nd and 3rd May 2018
Time: 09:00 – 16:00 (both days)
Venue: SAHRC training office 2nd floor 33, Hoofd Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Media enquiries:
Kwanele Phakathi
Cell: 078 845 4552
E-mail: kpakati@sahrc.org.za
