Centre for Human Rights: Advancing Human Rights Advocacy and Education Across Africa

ICoCA CSO since March 2016

A Unique Dual Identity in Advancing Human Rights

The Centre for Human Rights (the Centre), based at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, is an organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights across the African continent. As a department within the Faculty of Law, the Centre operates primarily from its base in Pretoria and extends its influence through advocacy, research, training and education on various pressing human rights issues. With a staff of over 60 individuals, the Centre focuses on protecting vulnerable and marginalised groups, including women, children, sexual and gender minorities, migrants, indigenous people and persons with disabilities. The Centre also champions freedom of expression, access to information, democracy, civic engagement and responsible business conduct that respects both human rights and the environment.

According to Lloyd Kuveya, Assistant Director of Operations at the Centre, what distinguishes the Centre for Human Rights is its unique dual identity, functioning as both an academic institution and a non-governmental organisation (NGO). While headquartered in South Africa, its work spans the African continent, collaborating with governments, civil society organisations and national human rights institutions to promote the implementation of human rights norms. “This broad network enables the Centre to engage in advocacy and strategic litigation, helping to shape policies to protect human rights”, adds. Mr. Kuveya. One of the Centre’s key focus areas is the intersection of business and human rights, offering short courses on these topics while striving to promote corporate responsibility and ethical conduct across various sectors.

Tackling the Future of Security with ICoCA

In alignment with its commitment to human rights, the Centre joined ICoCA in March 2016. Recently, they have partnered with the Association to address the rapid evolution of the private security industry, where new technologies like drones, CCTV, cybersecurity and digital intelligence are transforming traditional roles and introducing new services, while also presenting potential human rights risks and challenges.

In September 2024, the Centre and ICoCA collaborated to host workshops with private security companies (PSCs) in South Africa to gain insights into the challenges posed by these new technologies in the region, contributing to the development of ICoCA’s toolkit for the responsible us of technology by PSCs.

Business Practices at Crossroads

Looking ahead, Mr. Kuveya notes that the Centre for Human Rights faces significant challenges, including resistance to human rights-based approaches in business, slow progress toward a UN binding treaty on business and human rights, and pushback against progressive immigration policies. However, despite these hurdles, he sees opportunities emerging, particularly in the development of new guidelines and frameworks. He emphasis that “these developments, such as the EU Corporate Sustainable Due Diligence Directive, along with ongoing collaboration with civil society organisations across the continent, present avenues for advancing human rights and promoting ethical conduct in business practices”.

To learn more about the Centre for Human Rights, visit their website.