The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities will be joining the rest of the International community, all indigenous communities in South Africa and the African continent in celebrating and remembering the international day of the world‘s indigenous people (9 August) as it was first proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1994.
This year’s theme will focus on “Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices" in the political and social landscape as well as stigma faced by the indigenous communities.
According to the Chief Executive Officer, Adv. Pheagane Solomon Moreroa, the CRL Rights Commission is further inspired by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly during its 62nd session in New York City on 13 September 2007 and specifically article 16 that states that:
1. Indigenous peoples have the right to establish their own media in their own languages and to have access to all forms of non-indigenous media without discrimination.
2. States shall take effective measures to ensure that State-owned media duly reflect indigenous cultural diversity. States, without prejudice to ensuring full freedom of expression, should encourage privately owned media to adequately reflect indigenous cultural diversity.
The Commission is of the view that all media institutions and organs of the state are familiar with the above article 16 and will realise its intention and promote indigenous cultural and language diversity, in the broadcasting environment and newsrooms.
The CRL Rights Commission is intending to conduct a baseline research on the restoration of the Khoe-San and Nama heritage, identification and recognition of their threaten sacred sites such as graves, caves and places of worship during 2012/13 financial year hence their motto ǃKe e: ǀXarra ǁKe “(diverse people unite).
For media interviews contact:
Adv Sipho Mantula
Communications and Marketing Officer
Tel: 011 537 7628
Cell: 084 7815587/083 233 1538
E-mail: sipho@crlcommission.org.za
