NEWS ARCHIVE

HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2009

Stakeholder Workshop - 12 to 13 November 2009

"Increasing the Effectiveness of Human Rights Based Interventions to Combat Discrimination on the Basis of HIV Status in SADC and the Great Lakes Regions"

HRDI hosted a workshop to address the above theme in Pretoria. Participants included HRDI's partners from the ten countries that we work including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and the DRC.

In addition, individuals and organisations who operate within the SADC and Great Lakes Region, African Continent, Inter-American Human Rights System, European System, and UN System attended.

The full report from the workshop can be found under Publications.

One Month Training Programme - November 2009

"Improving Legal Service Delivery: Implementing Impact Litigation Strategies for Social Justice for PLHIV Within Partnering Institutions in SADC and Great Lakes Regions"

Legal officers from partnering institutions in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and DRC returned to HRDI in order to attend a one month training focusing on the above theme. In addition they were trained on how to increase financial accountability.

Three Member of CRIDHAC (DRC) Visit NUR (Rwanda) to Study the Law Clinic - August 2009

The two legal officers trained by HRDI together with the director of CRIDHAC visited the Legal Clinic at the National University of Rwanda in Butare as part of a study visit facilitated by HRDI. This is one further step toward regional collaboration and the sharing of best practices within the global south. A full report of this visit can be obtained from HRDI.

Appointment of a Social Scientist - July 2009

HRDI appointed a social scientist, Ms Carita Teien to join the team. She will assist in concretely developing a multi-disciplinary approach to all of HRDI's activities, including training, the provision of legal services to vulnerable groups and individuals and the community outreach work.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2008

Observer Status With the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights - November 2008

HRDI was granted observer status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights in November 2008. This will enable us to have access to non-confidential documents of the Commission and be invited to attend its sessions.

We hope to use it to advocate for the creation of the mandate of a special rapporteur on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and other related infectious diseases in Africa.

Working With Other Partners Involved in HIV/AIDS and Human Rights - 18 and 19 November 2008

HRDI attended a partners meeting by AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) where we interacted with some of their partners who are also working in the same countries as us. We realised when they were reporting on their activities that they were working on cases similar to ours. We hope to interact and share ideas with some of them during our country visits in 2009.

Exploring the SADC Tribunal - 16 and 17 July 2008

At the invitation of the SADC Tribunal Registrar Justice Mkandawire, HRDI attended the hearing of the Zimbabwe farmers' case in Windhoek, Namibia. Justice Mkandawire is also a guest teacher in our training programme. During the hearing we interacted with a Namibian lawyer who represented the farmers and invited her to share her experience with our students. The visit to the Tribunal did not only allow us to network with people who have actually used the Tribunal but also allowed us to observe how it functions. This insight will help us in future is we decide to litigate before the Tribunal with our partners.