Centre for Human Rights

10/10/2026

The discussion is underway. The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, is hosting an important panel at the 29th Civil Society Forum on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, spotlighting the realities of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and menstrual justice across Africa.

Our panelists are bringing different perspectives to the discussion. Blessed Maputire, a teenage girl, shares her lived experience of menstrual gaps and how they threaten girls’ dignity, health and education. Tracey Malawana highlights how we can advocate for children’s rights in the context of WASH, how to engage the government and challenge policies that do not entail the safeguarding of menstrual health and human dignity. At the same time, Candice Chirwa emphasizes that treating menstruation as a "whisper" or private taboo prevents it from being prioritized in government budgets and projects.

The conversation highlights how access to safe water, dignified sanitation, and menstrual health resources intersects with children’s rights, gender equality, health, and education. Ultimately, menstrual justice goes beyond access to menstrual products; it is about dignity, equality, inclusion, and the realization of human rights for every child.

09/10/2026

The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, is co-hosting a side event at the CSO Forum for the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, talking about the Model Law on the Implementation of Decisions of the African Human Rights Bodies.

The Centre has been a part of the development of this Model Law, working with the Pan-African Parliament and Professor Rachel Murray, Director of the Bonavero Institute for Human Rights.

"The Model Law is a toolbox of legal clauses that serves to help governments, in the domestic arena, to give legal status to the decisions of human rights treaty bodies, and thus enhance the recognition and implementation of those decisions."- Ntokozo Sibanyoni, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria

08/10/2026

08/10/2026

[PRESS STATEMENT]

The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) has held that Nigeria is responsible for ensuring that all children enjoy the minimum level of legal protection, regardless of the state in which they live. The decision follows a case challenging disparities in the legal protection of children across Nigeria, including differences in laws relating to child marriage, child labour and other harmful practices.

The Committee found that Nigeria violated its obligations under the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, reaffirming that a federal system cannot be used to justify unequal protection of children’s rights. It called on Nigeria to review state laws, address conflicting standards and strengthen safeguards to ensure the uniform application of the African Children’s Charter across the country.

The decision also requires Nigeria to develop a time-bound national action plan, establish a mechanism to monitor implementation and report to the Committee on measures taken within 180 days. The ruling sets an important precedent for federal states across Africa and strengthens the protection of children’s rights under the African human rights system.

Read the full press release: https://www.chr.up.ac.za/latest-news/4484-press-release-african-children-s-committee-urges-nigeria-to-guarantee-equal-protection-for-children-across-all-36-states

06/10/2026

[Call for Applications]

Academic Associates: 2027

The Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria invites students interested enrolling or who are already enrolled for LLM or LLD studies in the Faculty of Law of the University of Pretoria may apply to be appointed as Academic Associates in one of the departments in the faculty.

Academic Associates may be involved in teaching assistance, tutorial facilitation, script marking, and research support. The position requires a commitment of approximately 25 hours per week.

Applicants must hold an LLB degree with a minimum average of 65% and possess strong communication skills.

Applicants should indicate their postgraduate area of specialisation and preferred academic department.

Period of appointment: 1 February to 30 November 2027
Closing date: 16 October 2026

For more information, please visit: https://www.chr.up.ac.za/latest-news/4482-call-for-applications

02/10/2026

[Call for Abstracts]

The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, in partnership with the Ismail Mahomed Centre for Human and Peoples’ Rights (IMCHPR) and the African Business and Human Rights Initiative (ABHRI) Consortium Partners, invites abstract submissions for the 2026 African Business and Human Rights Symposium.

In line with the African Union’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063, the symposium will focus on the intersection of corporate accountability, water justice and infrastructure development.

The symposium will explore themes including water justice and business and human rights, just transition and critical minerals, climate change and water stress, corporate accountability and access to remedy, infrastructure and transboundary water governance, and AI, technology and water governance.

Event: 10–11 November 2026
Venue: University of Venda & Online (Hybrid)
Draft submission deadline: 19 October 2026
Attendance: Very limited scholarships available.

Contributions are invited from academics, practitioners, policymakers, judges, National Human Rights Institutions, civil society organisations, business actors, postgraduate researchers, development partners and affected communities.

Please email your drafts to [email protected] and [email protected], cc [email protected] before midnight on 19 October 2026.

29/09/2026

The University of Dayton Human Rights Center, invites you to nominate candidates for the 2027 recipient of the Romero Human Rights Award.

Established in 2000 by the University of Dayton, the Romero Human Rights Award commemorates the ministry and martyrdom of Saint Oscar Romero, the slain Salvadoran Archbishop. The award honors individuals or organizations whose lives and work contribute significantly to the alleviation of human suffering and injustice.

The physical award itself is a deeply meaningful symbol of the University’s identity: a custom bronze statue of Saint Oscar Romero, originally sculpted by Emily Trick and Brother Gary Marcinowski, S.M., of the University of Dayton’s Department of Visual Arts. By presenting this enduring symbol, the University welcomes new laureates into a distinguished lineage of global advocates who embody Romero’s spirit and unwavering commitment to justice.

At a time when democratic institutions, human rights protections, and public trust are under strain globally, there is a vital need to highlight leaders who view public service as an ethical and moral obligation.

The theme for 2027, “Faith, Ethics, and Public Service: Advancing Transitional Justice in a Changing World,” anchors this inquiry within the framework of Transitional Justice (TJ). Archbishop Romero’s legacy is fundamentally tied to the pillars of TJ: uncovering truth, demanding legal accountability, seeking reparations, and pursuing institutional reforms to guarantee non-recurrence of abuses.

Submit nominations before Friday, October 2, 2026
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdX7dmwKsTyoPco-AXGqi-LsigV95AtkWu92H8j9SPXaxTosQ/viewform

29/09/2026

The Centre for Human Rights, in partnership with the
African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR)’, Center for Reproductive Rightsand Ipas Africa Alliance, invites stakeholders to a Stakeholder Engagement on the draft Guidelines on the Elimination of Obstetric Violence and the Promotion of Respectful Maternal Healthcare in Africa.

The engagement will take place at the margins of the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR)’ Rights (ACHPR).

Date: 9 October 2026
Time: 09:00 – 15:00
Venue: Dakar, Senegal
Format: Virtual or in person

Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=eRVF5XoFgkaWVrlUj5S2ZRpU-PcUhzRCua9MPzKUqnpUNUVBRDRQQ1YwTTlNUFBZSVZGMjY2QUxHUC4u&origin=QRCode

23/09/2026

[ Opinion Piece]

In this op-ed, Dr Dorcas Basimanyane examines what meaningful human rights due diligence should look like when projects affect local African communities. She explores what land means to African communities beyond ownership and economic value as a source of identity, belonging, culture and livelihood and argues that Africa cannot simply adopt due diligence models that fail to reflect these realities.

Drawing on the Xolobeni and Ogiek cases, the op-ed calls for due diligence that puts rights-holders at the centre, makes participation meaningful and actually prevents harm.

The message is clear: human rights due diligence must do more than produce reports. It must influence corporate decisions, prevent harm and provide effective remedies for affected communities.

Read more:https://www.chr.up.ac.za/opinion-pieces/4471-op-ed-when-due-diligence-becomes-a-checklist-communities-pay-the-price-land-rights-local-communities-rethinking-african-due-diligence

23/09/2026

On 17 September 2026, UNESCO, through its European Union-funded Social Media 4 Peace (SM4P) project, in partnership with the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, Research ICT Africa and other partners, hosted the National Research Report Launch of the Governance of Online Harmful Content and Freedom of Expression in South Africa study.

Held under the theme “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder,” the launch brought together stakeholders to reflect on the findings of the national study and the challenges surrounding online harmful content, freedom of expression and information integrity in South Africa.

The discussions explored key issues including information disorder, misinformation and artificial intelligence, access to information, platform governance and human rights, highlighting the importance of addressing online harms while protecting fundamental rights and freedoms.

The launch provided an important space for stakeholders from government, civil society, academia, media and other sectors to engage with the research findings and consider approaches to strengthening the governance of online spaces in South Africa.

Read the full article: https://www.chr.up.ac.za/latest-news/4472-unesco-and-partners-host-national-research-report-launch-on-governance-of-online-harms-in-south-africa