Anti-crime activist appointed to probe human rights abuses by law enforcement agencies
Yusuf Abramjee is synonymous with human rights.
Social cohesion advocate and anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee has been appointed by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to the Civil Society Advisory Committee to undertake human rights monitoring during the lockdown.
The commission continues to monitor the observance of human rights during the implementation of lockdown measures announced by the government in terms of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002, due to the Covid-19 virus.
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The SAHRC established a statutory advisory committee on April 14 to assist in monitoring the implementation of the Covid-19 national lockdown regulations and its related impact on human rights in South Africa.
“The advisory committee was established in terms of Section 11 of the South African Human Rights Commission Act 40 of 2013 (SAHRC Act).
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“It is chaired by Commissioner Chris Nissen and consists of civil society organisations and individuals working in various communities across the country,” the SAHRC said in a statement.
The commission urges all law enforcement agencies to render all necessary assistance having due regard of section 4 (3) of the SAHRC Act which makes it a criminal offence to obstruct the work of a committee established by the commission.
“The committee will report to the SAHRC in line with the approved terms of reference, directions and conditions as set by the commission,” the statement said.
Abramjee is synonymous with human rights.
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He was one of the founding members of Lead SA, a Primedia Broadcasting and Independent Newspapers initiative, which aimed to highlight the achievements of the nation and celebrate the efforts of ordinary South Africans who continually seek to do the right thing for themselves, their families, their communities and the country at large.
Just want to congratulate my beloved friend @Abramjee on his appointment by the @SAHRCommission to the Civil Society Advisory Committee to undertake human rights monitoring during the #COVIDー19 lockdown. Our duas are with him and we wish him well. SAHRC has made the best choice.
— Qari Ziyaad Patel (@QariZiyaadPatel) April 22, 2020
It encourages individuals to stand up and lead SA.
He was also one of the main founders of the Crime Line Campaign (a partnership with the South African Police Service) and in June 2007 it was officially launched with him at the helm.
The successes are well-recorded – thousands of arrests were made and millions of Rands of stolen property, counterfeit goods and drugs have been seized thanks to tip-offs to Crime Line.
Abramjee headed up Crime Line until December 2015.
He became the first person of colour to be elected chairperson of the National Press Club in its 22-year history.
Abramjee was also a member of the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF).
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