SAHRC DISAPPOINTED WITH GOVERNMENT'S REJECTION OF INTERNATIONAL ADVICE ON TRADITIONAL COURTS BILL
The South African Human Rights Commission is disappointed by government's failure to heed international advice to reconsider the Traditional Courts Bill.
During the interactive dialogue between member states at the United Nations Human Rights Council where the South African government presented its Universal Periodic Review last week, Norway recommended that the country ensure that the Traditional Courts Bill complied with all international and constitutional obligations before being passed by Parliament.
The request came on the same day Parliament's National Council of Provinces held its hearings in parliament where the SAHRC presented its views on the Traditional Courts Bill.
Norway requested that South Africa "ensure that the proposed new Traditional Courts Bill, if adopted, does not violate South Africa's international obligations or its own Constitution in the area of women's rights and gender equality."
We believe that it was unfortunate that these recommendations from our international friends were not accepted by the South African government who simply made a statement declaring that the "matter was still under national consultation".