HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE OF SOUTH AFRICA (HURISA) COMMEMORATES THE MARIKANA TRADEGY OF 16 AUGUST 2012: ONE YEAR SINCE VIOLATION OF GROSS HUMAN AND PEOPLE’S RIGHTS “JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED”
Immediate Media Statement
Date: 16 August 2013
Human Rights Institute of South Africa (HURISA) will be joining the rest of the International Community, People of North West Province, and Mine workers across South Africa today, Friday the 16th of August 2013 in commemorating the Marikana catastrophe, labour related strike on wages and reasonable living conditions by Lonmin management and other mining related management in South Africa.
In Marikana, Nkaneng Informal Settlement, HURISA shares its heartfelt sympathy to all families mourning, those who suffered inhumanely injuries, witnesses, human rights and legal defender and mine workers assassinated since the wildcat strike began last year in 2012.
HURISA is concerned that since the 1993 Regulation of Gathering Act was promulgated during the transitional period, the South African security agencies, Justice ministry and trade unions are still grappling to understand objectives and the intention of the Regulation of Gathering Act. We urgently request the all stakeholders to reconsider convening a national workshop to revisit this legislation in the spirit of Human and People’ rights, Human security and Labour rights and responsibilities of all workers in post-Apartheid South African mining industry.
HURISA is disappointed that the Farlam Commission of enquiry that was established by the office of the State of President in 2012 has been experiencing financial difficulties and unnecessary delays in terms of the logistical and legal support of the families, relocation of the hearings venue and malicious assassination of key witnesses.
We therefore remind the South African Government that in light of its obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other regional and international instruments to:
Take all necessary measures to ensure the defence of its citizens in accordance with its regional and international human rights obligations because since Marikana disaster thirteen people (13) have been killed, ensure proper investigation on the acts of political violence which have been perpetrated by the striking workers and the police and further ensure that all the perpetrators of these heinous acts are brought to justice.
HURISA further calls the Government of North West Province, National Security Departments and Office of the State President, Traditional leadership, Trade Unions, Media, Human Rights Defenders, Mine Management, Security Agencies, Justice Department and the Community of Marikana to reflect and observe this day under the moral principles of respect of human and people’s rights, tolerance, peace, restorative justice, reconciliation, human dignity and right to human life.
Issued by Human Rights Institute of South Africa (HURISA)
Adv. Sipho Mantula
Advocacy and Media Liaison Officer
Tel: 011 333 1730
Cell: 0847815587
Email:rasgideon@hurisa.org.za