HRC51 side event - Defending land and protecting rights: Opportunities for South Africa UPR

Ahead of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of South Africa, this side event addresses the human rights situation in the country, focusing on challenges faced by human rights defenders in the exercise of their rights to land and housing.

The speakers will address the heightened repression against human rights defenders, in particular those working in the fields of housing, spatial justice and equitable land distribution.

With an introduction from Habitat International Coalition, the speaker from Abahlali base Mjondolo, a mass democratic grassroot movement in South Africa, will focus on the repression and targeted assassinations they have endured as advocates for the rights of people living in shacks, including access to decent housing, services and education. 

The representative of the Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network will provide an overview of the legal system in place and the challenges to accessing justice.

Finally, the speaker from HURISA will contextualise the event within the discussion of these issues during previous UPR sessions, and articulate the need to address these pressing and fundamental issues at the upcoming UPR session.

This event is organised by Habitat International Coalition and co-sponsored by the Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, Abahlali baseMjondolo, Civicus, and ISHR.