PUBLIC LECTURE: Human Rights Pre and Post Democracy in South Africa

The Institute of Advanced Studies and the Faculty of Law at UWA present a free public lecture by George Bizos SC, Human Rights Lawyer.

During South Africa’s apartheid years, the role of the judiciary was suppressed by the implementation of the principle of the sovereignty of parliament. The democratisation of the country led to the adoption of a constitutional Bill of Rights and the creation of the Constitutional Court. In this lecture, issues concerning human rights will be examined in these contexts, pre and post apartheid.

George Bizos is a renowned human rights lawyer. Counsel to Nelson Mandela since the mid 1950’s, he was part of the team that defended him, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and others in the Rivonia Trial in 1963/4.

He was appointed by President Mandela to South Africa’s Judicial Services Commission to recommend candidates for Judicial office and reform of the Judicial system to erase its apartheid past. He was reappointed by President Mbeki.

Mr Bizos led the team that defended Morgan Tswangarai in Zimbabwe in 2003/4 on a charge of treason. He served as Judge on Botswana’s Court of Appeal 1985-1993. He continues to act as Counsel at the Legal Resources Centre, Constitutional Litigation Unit, which he has done since 1991. He has received numerous prestigious South African and international awards for his work in promoting democracy and human rights.