Human Rights
Photo by Nadine Hutton
Introduction
The Human Rights programme aims to strengthen the realisation of constitutional rights for the most disadvantaged groups in society by addressing the root causes of political, economic and social discrimination.

Counteracting discrimination against cultural or ethnical minorities and promoting gender equity is a central pillar of the foundation’s work.

Despite the fact that partner countries in the region, Namibia and South Africa, have progressive constitutions based on tolerance and equal rights for all persons living in their societies, awareness for these constitutional rights is not yet deeply anchored in all tiers of society.

This becomes more critical as state institutions are often not able or willing to ensure protection of all social groups against hatred crimes, violence, discrimination and prejudice.

The foundation believes that a democratic culture can only be fostered if equality and fully participation is guaranteed and enjoyed by all members of society. Social integration is a fundamental requirement for the promotion of social cohesion.

For more information, please contact Paula Assubuji, Human Rights Programme Manager: paula'at'boell.org.za

Gender Justice
PUBLICATION
Gender Politics Makes A Difference: experiences of the Heinrich Böll Foundation across the world
February 5, 2010 - In this publication, the Heinrich Böll Foundation presents some of its experiences, both setbacks and successes. It is just a small sample of HBS' work all over the world.  HBS is very much aware that its political and financial contributions are often only part of a larger network; yet its work does make a difference – for more gender justice. more»
PARTNER ACTIVITY
A simplified guide to your housing and eviction rights – January 26, 2010 - Many women are evicted from their homes by their husbands, partners, family members or the owners of their homes. Often, women are evicted with their children and do not have anywhere else to live. The Women's Legal Centre, therefore, created this simplified guide to assist women in learning about their legal rights to housing and their rights in terms of evictions. more»
LGBTI
DECLARATION
Rights to redress & state accountability: responding to violence against sexual minorities in Africa
March 11, 2010 - We need to understand what it means to be heterosexual as well as homosexual, and that our sexualities affect whether we live or die - During this 54th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women on the occasion of the 15+year review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform, the Coalition of African Lesbians (“CAL”) reinforces that: more»
Migration
ANALYSIS
Demons and Democracy: Positive Values and the Politics of Outsiderness in Contemporary South Africa
May 20, 2010 - While xenophobia may seem far removed from racial tensions, poverty, and public protest, how we understand and address these concerns is inseparable from the bias and violence against outsiders. At the root of these tensions is a discourse of citizenship and transformation that insists – often implicitly – on the categorization of people into a relatively homogenous, entitled majority and those for whom, by virtue of their experience, origins, or occupation, political recognition comes only by demonstrating their utility to a true and deserving political community. By Loren Landau more»
STUDY
The Gendered Nature of Xenophobia in South Africa – After the democratisation of South Africa in 1994, the influx of migrants from other African countries increased dramatically. Despite reconciliation initiatives, old patterns of racism (deeply rooted in the country’s apartheid past) combined with new forms of discrimination, such as xenophobia, have played out through the country’s period of political transition. By Romi Sigsworth, Collet Ngwane and Angelica Pino more»
NEWS
New Perspectives issue on human rights and sexual minorities in Africa will be released in September.   
Partners Political & Human Rights
Heinrich Böll Foundation in Africa
Heinrich Böll Foundation Headquarters