In accordance with the Constitution and the Human Rights Commission Act of 1994, the tasks of the Human Rights Commission are to:
•    Develop an awareness of human rights among the people of South Africa.
•    Make recommendations to the state to improve the carrying out of human rights.
•    Undertake studies and report to Parliament on matters relating to human rights.
•    Investigate complaints of violations of human rights and seek appropriate relief.
The Commission works with government, civil society and individuals both in South Africa and internationally, acting as both a watchdog and a visible route through which people can access their rights.

While the handling and management of complaints about human rights violations lies at the heart of the Commission's work, it also aims to create a national culture of human rights through its advocacy, research and legal functions. In addition, the Commission monitors and develops standards of human rights law.
Typical recent, current and future projects include:
•    A school racism study.
•    An inquiry into racism in the media.
•    The Roll Back Xenophobia Campaign.
•    Monitoring socio-economic rights.
•    A child participation study and report.
•    The National Conference on Racism.
•    An investigation into racism in the justice system.
•    An investigation into child sexual abuse.
•    Human rights in farming communities.
•    Constitutional legislation (equality and access to information legislation).
•    A national action plan on strategies to combat racism.
•    A national action plan to promote and protect human rights.
•    The UN 3rd World Conference on Racism
•    Socio-economic rights of refugees and non-nationals.
•    Monitoring South Africa's international human rights obligations.
The Human Rights Commission is made up of the commission, which sets out policy, and a secretariat, which implements policy. The chairperson is overall head, and there are up to 10 other commissioners, each responsible for a particular aspect of human rights - children, disability, civil rights, etc - as well as for a South African region.
Jody Kollapen, who served as the deputy chairperson of the Commission from 1996, was appointed chairperson in October 2002.
The Commission has set up five provincial offices to ensure that its services are widely accessible - see the box on the right.

CONTACT THE COMMISSION
Human Rights Advice Line
0860 120 120
(office hours, Mon-Fri)
Head office / Gauteng
Tel (011) 484 8300
Eastern Cape
Tel (041) 582 4094 / 2611
Free State
Tel (051) 447 1130
KwaZulu-Natal
Tel (031) 304 7323 / 4 / 5
Limpopo Province
Tel (015) 291 3500 / 04
Western Cape
Tel (021) 426 2277
Source: www.southafrica.info/ess_info/sa_glance/constitution/sahrc.htm
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