The Legal Resources Centre, in association with the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria and the South African Human Rights Commission, is hosting a short workshop in the Dean King Hall of St George's Cathedral on Wednesday, 21 October 2009 at 13h00.

21 October 1986 marks the date that the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Banjul Charter) came into force. To commemorate this achievement, October 21 has been designated Africa Human Rights Day and is celebrated annually on the continent as a critical step toward promoting and protecting fundamental rights and freedoms for all people living in Africa.

The event will celebrate the achievements of the system to date, but also discuss some of South Africa's important outstanding commitments as a member state to the African Union. Important amongst these are the ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and a declaration in terms of section 34(6) of the African Charter allowing individuals and Non-Governmental Organisations to approach the African Court directly.

The eminent expert on the African system and Commissioner to the International Commission of Jurists, Prof Michelo Hansungule of the University of Pretoria, will give a presentation on the system and its significance for South Africa. This will be followed by a panel discussion which will include Dr David Katerere of Zimbabwe, a board member of People Against Suffering, Suppression, Oppression and Poverty (PASSOP) and Dr Richard Calland of the University of Cape Town and IDASA.

Diplomats, representatives of international NGOs, legal practitioners, civil society and academics are expected to attend.

In other developments, the Speaker of the National Assembly has been requested to table a multi-party motion in the House on 21 October acknowledging the significance of Africa Human Rights day.