UPDATE: SAHRC confirms investigations against Avalon
He said the SAHRC received an initial response to the report from Avalon regarding its implementation of the recommendations.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has confirmed it investigated a complaint of human rights violations against the Avalon Home for the Disabled in Kensington.
The SAHRC has since issued recommendations to address these violations.
The spokesperson for the SAHRC, Mr Isaac Mangena, said the SAHRC received a complaint from an Avalon resident in 2013. It was alleged the conditions at the home fell below an acceptable standard.
“The commission investigated the complaint, which involved a number of inspections at Avalon. We also interviewed other residents and staff,” he said.
According to Mr Mangena, the commission took into account the normative guidelines found in international and national frameworks and determined that Avalon had to put measures in place to improve the general living conditions of residents and also the social dynamics among residents and management.
“On the issue of health and attending to serious injuries and illness, the commission made a number of recommendations in its report. It was recommended that Avalon develop clear guidelines regarding the provision of preventative, routine or emergency medical care for residents when showing symptoms of serious illness or injury.
“Furthermore, it was recommended that policies be developed to ensure confidentiality of information shared by residents with social workers in situations where social workers interact with other personnel and residents,” said Mr Mangena.
He said the SAHRC received an initial response to the report from Avalon regarding its implementation of the recommendations.
“The SAHRC is in the process of confirming compliance with its recommendations,” he said.
“Further to the initial complaint of 2013, the SAHRC received two more complaints this year regarding Avalon. These additional two complaints are distinct from the 2013 complaint. The SAHRC is in the process of assessing these two complaints in line with its complaints handling procedures,” said Mr Mangena.
