Issued by: Department Of Justice
More than a dozen experts from Africa, North America, Europe and India will participate in a workshop in South Africa from 19 - 21 August 1998 to share their experiences on equality legislation and laws to combat discrimination, with South African lawyers and other experts.
The Equality Legislation Drafting Project, which is a joint venture of the Ministry of Justice and the South African Human Rights Commission, was launched at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 25 May 1998. A the launch, Minister Of Justice, Dr Dullah Omar, outlined some of the government's intentions regarding legislation to be drafted to outlaw discrimination and promote equality. He advocated for an interventionist state to eradicate the effects of apartheid and commented on the role of judges and courts on transformation in South Africa. He also gave the assurance that privacy, freedom and some traditions will be taken into account. At the same event, Human Rights Commission Chair, Dr Barney Pityana, illustrated with examples, that discrimination is still rife in South Africa.
The aim of the Equality Legislation Drafting Project is to prepare draft legislation to prevent or prohibit unfair discrimination based on race, sex, gender, colour, disability, sexual orientation, etc., as required by the Constitution. The legislation has to be passed before February 2000.
The Equality Legislation Drafting Unit has arranged a conference of experts for 19 - 21 August 1998. Prominent South African Experts will attend, with the following experts from outside South Africa:
A number of legal academics from other states in Africa that have been teaching in South Africa will also be involved. They include Prof. Shadrack Gutto from the Kenya (University of the Witwatersrand), and Prof. Iya from Uganda (Ford Hare University).
The South Africans who will participate include officials from the Department of Justice and Human Rights Commission, practising lawyers, members of the Commission on Gender Equality, and legal academics.
This meeting follows a large consultative meeting on the same topic, which took place in Pretoria on 31 July 1998. At this meeting, attended by approximately 300 South Africans, representatives of various organisations voiced their opinions on equality and discrimination.
Representatives of the media are welcome to attend a lunch at the end of the expert conference at 13h00 on Friday 21 August 1998 at Valley Lodge, agaliesburg. Interviews with the visiting experts or those involved in the project can also be arranged.
ISSUED BY THE CHIEF DIRECTORATE: COMMUNICATION SERVICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ON BEHALF OF THE EQUALITY LEGISLATION DRAFTING UNIT.
17 August 1998 PRETORIA
ENQUIRIES: Project Coordinator: Prof Johann van der Westhuizen Tel: (011) 484 8300 / 082 888 1911 Project Researcher: Dr. Lindelwa Ntutela Tel: (011) 484 8300 / 082 974 7619 Project Admin Secretary: Ms. Zoleka Moon Tel: (011) 484 8300 / 082 960 8010