Lawyers for Human Rights

📢‼️FINAL CALL FOR APPLICATIONS‼️📢

On 16 Feb, the #NotFitForPurpose campaign convened civil society in Mokopane, Limpopo to confront failures in the National Council on GBVF.

The call was clear - South Africa needs an independent Council led by civil society and grounded in the realities of those most affected by GBVF!

📢 On this International Women’s Day, Lawyers for Human Rights honours the women who continue to advance justice and push for gender equality! ✊🏽✨

In particular, we recognise Louise du Plessis for her work strengthening women’s land, housing and property rights in South Africa!✊🏽 ✨

On 17 Feb 2026, LHR and Webber Wentzel appeared before the SCA representing five respondents in an appeal by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services of South Africa!✊🏾

Read our joint press statement here: www.lhr.org.za/lhr-news/joi...

📢 ✊🏿On 4 March, LHR in collaboration with the Orange Farm Human Rights Advice Office and Theta FM Radio, hosted a pop up law clinic in Evaton Township📢

We served residents of the Emfuleni Local Municipality who purchased properties from the municipality but have still not received the title deeds!

📢To all Candidate Attorneys and board exam candidates📢

Lawyers for Human Rights wishes you every success!✨

May your knowledge and integrity strengthen justice, your dedication shape the rights and dignity of tomorrow, and your work reflect courage, fairness, and the principles of justice!✊🏿 ⚖️

📣 🔔A gentle reminder that today we are observing our Mental Health Day🔔

Our offices are closed as we take intentional time to rest and reset! ☘️

We will attend to all messages once we resume on 2 March 2026.

Thank you for your understanding!

📢 LHR at the Marginalised and Affected Communities Summit

On 11 Feb, our ERP team joined the MAC Summit.
Phyllia Ngoatje highlighted that SA’s critical minerals strategy must protect communities & the environment. Consent, accountability & participation are key for a just transition ✊🏾

📢 LHR at the Free State Centre for Human Rights Conference

On 20 Feb, our colleagues presented on litigating municipal failure at UFS.

We challenged eviction as a solution to homelessness, called for accountability under SPLUMA, and addressed the ongoing crisis of apartheid urban housing!✊🏾

Two days. One team. One shared purpose!

📢We have officially concluded our Annual Strategic Planning Session. We return to our work clearer, sharper, and more intentional about advancing justice and protecting the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities!✊🏾

📢 🔴 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT🔴📢

Please note that our Law Clinics will be closed on Mon, 23rd, and Tue, 24th of Feb 2026, as we will be hosting our Annual Strategic Planning Sessions.

During this time, consultations will not be available!

We will resume consultations on 2 and 3 March 2026!

📢 The Climate Justice Handbook for Children and Youth 📢

We are pleased to announce that our Climate Justice for Children and Youth handbook 📗 launched on 8 Dec 2025 is now available on our website!

Download here⬇️: www.lhr.org.za/.../climate-...

📢‼️ CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 📢‼️

LHR, with the Sanef and AISA, is implementing the CREATE Project to strengthen journalist safety across Southern Africa.

LHR seeks a qualified service provider to deliver cybersecurity training!

Call: shorturl.at/CqkAx

TOR: shorturl.at/JvKZt

Deadline: 9 March 2026

Read, share and demand accountability from Parliament and the Department of Women Youth and Persons with Disabilities!!

Read the full submission and our legal analysis here:

www.lhr.org.za/.../submissi...

Learn more about the #NotFitForPurpose campaign here:

sites.google.com/view/notfitf....

We set out specific concerns about transparency, the application of statutory criteria and the legal risk posed by a procedurally flawed process.

Members have taken part in the #TotalShutdown movement, contributed to the first Presidential Summit on GBVF in 2018, served on the Interim Steering Committee that developed the National Strategic Plan on GBVF and supported the Presidential Summit Planning Committee for 2022 to 2023.

#Notfitforpurpose campaign is a coalition of civil society organisations, activists, survivors and concerned citizens who have worked on GBVF since 2018.

📣 A National Council on GBVF Must Be Fit for Purpose 📣

On 30 Jan 2026, LHR submitted formal reps on behalf of the #NotFitForPurpose campaign raising constitutional and procedural concerns about the shortlisting process for the National Council on Gender Based Violence and Femicide!

📢 Join LHR, Section 27 and Collective Voices for Health for a webinar on how to make effective public submissions on the Draft Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection📢

📝 Register here shorturl.at/0R5a2

On Friday, 30 January, LHR will observe its internal Mental Health and Wellness Day!

Our offices and Law clinics will be closed as staff take time to rest and recharge. We will resume normal operations on Monday, 2 Feb 2026.

Stay safe and know your rights!✊🏿

YouTube video by Lawyers for Human Rights South Africa 📢 A Day in the Life of a Human Rights Lawyer📢

📢 Our own Ezile Madlala was featured on Newzroom Afrika in A Day in the Life of a Human Rights Lawyer.

We are proud to see this work recognised and shared with a wider public.

📺 Aired on Newzroom Afrika
🗓 9 December 2025

youtu.be/ZZbQMmTPswI

📢🇿🇦Reconciliation Day | 16 December 2025📢 🇿🇦

Reconciliation is not a moment or a slogan. It is the daily work of justice, truth, and dignity for all.

On this Reconciliation Day - we recommit to defending human rights without exception!✊🏿

📢🚨IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT OUR JHB OFFICE 🚨

📢In Nov, civil society came together across provinces under #NotFitForPurpose to demand real action on the NSP on GBVF and the National Council on GBVF Act.

Convenings in Durban & Cape Town pushed for accountability, survivor participation & sustained advocacy.

Learn more: shorturl.at/0EcQr

📢 Important Notice 📢

Happy holidays from all of us at Lawyers for Human Rights 🎉


We look forward to connecting with you in the new year! ☘️

Today, on International Human Rights Day, we honour the courage of these young people and reaffirm our commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all who are on the move!✊🏿

Their contributions were urgent and deeply grounded, reminding us that migration is a human journey that must be rooted in human rights and shared values.

During the event, we screened LHR’s own youth client success stories as a mirror of possibilities!

This workshop built on the momentum of our 25 July 2025 Migrant Youth event, where young people shared their challenges and their hopes for recognition and inclusion.

On the 4th we returned to that conversation and created a space where youth could speak freely and safely!