Issued by: Government Communications & Information System (GCIS)
GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED UNIT TO UNVEIL DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION PLANS FOR YEAR 2000.
The Minister of Justice, Mr Dullah Omar, is to unveil a special project unit set up to draft anti-discrimination legislation for South Africa planned to be passed before February 4, 2000.
Mr Omar will launch the Equality Legislation Drafting Project at the Union Buildings, Pretoria, (Room 153, East Side Amphitheatre) on May 25, 1998 (Monday) from 12h30 to 14h00.
Professor Johann van der Westhuizen, a human rights and constitutional expert from the University of Pretoria, who previously advised the Constitutional Assembly, is the Co-ordinator of the Project set up by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the Minister of Justice.
Other members of the Drafting Unit are two researchers, Advocate Sicelo Mthethwa (member of the Johannesburg Bar) and Dr Lindelwa Ntutela (a sociologist who researched in the USA and Canada).
The objective of the Draft Unit is to enable Parliament to pass anti-discrimination before February 4, 2000, as requested by the Constitution. This deadline must be met or the Government will be in breach of a constitutional obligation.
This Anti-discrimination legislation will prevent or prohibit unfair discrimination. This includes discrimination by private parties, based on race, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, etc in areas such as schools, health care, banking, public facilities, etc.
The Legislation is extremely important for transformation Legislation of this kind, (eg the Civil Rights Act in the USA and Discrimination Acts int he UK and Australia) can however also be controversial.
According to the Equality Clause in the Constitution, everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law. Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms.
The Draft Unit is accountable to the Minister of Justice and to a Project Management Team represented by inter-personnel.
The foreign-funded Drafting Unit will do and co-ordinate research, consult as widely as possible, conduct a public awareness campaign, and produce discussion documents, policy papers and draft legislation.
PRESS CONFERENCE INVITATION
SUBJECT: INVITATION TO LAUNCH OF EQUALITY LEGISLATION DRAFTING PROJECT
Your are cordially invited to attend the lunch of the Equality Legislation Drafting
VENUE: UNION BUILDINGS, PRETORIA Room 153 - on the east side of the Amphitheatre WHEN: Monday, May 25, 1998 TIME: 12H30 - 14H00
The Equality Legislation Drafting Project is a joint venture of the Ministry of Justice and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). Its aim is to assist the Government, and Parliament to pass legislation to prevent or prohibit unfair discrimination, as required by Section 9(4) and Item 23 of Schedule 6 of the Constitution.
This legislation bound to be extremely important for the process of transformation. However, similar laws have also been very controversial in some other countries.
The Equality Legislation Drafting Unit is housed in the offices of the SAHRC and will do and coordinate research, consult widely, contact a public awareness campaign and prepare draft discussion documents, policy documents and legislation.
Please confirm your attendance with Ms Zoleka Moon or Ms Nomisa Twnia. Tel: 484 8300.
For media enquires contact: John Mojapelo: Tel: 484 8300/083 265 3603 or Professor Johann van der Westhuizen: Tel: 082 888 1911
Yours truly,
Prof Johann van der Westhuizen Project Coordinator
EQUALITY LEGISLATION DRAFTING PROJECT LAUNCH
Room 153, East Side, Amphi Theatre, Union Buildings, Pretoria
May 25, 1998, 12H30-14H30
P R O G R A M M E
12H45 Opening and Welcoming of Guests
13H00 Dr. Dullah Omar, MP, Minister of Justice
13H10 Dr. Barnay N. Patyana, Chairperson, Human Rights Commission
13H20 Ms. Phumelede Ntonbela-Nzimande, Acting Chairperson Commission on Gender Equality
13H30 Dr. Manto Tahathalala-Msimang, Deputy Minister of Justice
13H40 Overview of Equality Legislation Drafting Process
13H50 Questions and Discussion
14H05 Thanks and Program Closure
14H10 Light Launch and Departure
Contact Person: Nomusa Twala Telephone: 484-8300
Re: venue contact person: Tina (012) 351 0068