Media Statements

Media Statements and Press Releases submitted by the Helen Suzman Foundation.
Statement on the Release of the National Health Insurance Green Paper
Aug 12, 2011
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Helen Suzman Foundation

The mission of the Helen Suzman Foundation is to defend the values that underpin our liberal constitutional democracy and to promote respect for human rights. The Foundation works from the premise that health provision represents one of South Africa’s key human rights issues. Section 27 of the Constitution states that “Everyone has the right to have access to health care services, including reproductive health care; […and that] no one may be refused emergency medical treatment”.

Statement on Pravin Gordhan's 2011 National Budget Speech
Feb 13, 2011
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Helen Suzman Foundation

Minister Gordhan’s second Budget confirms his status as a pragmatic realist. The Budget contains no major shocks, but there are some surprises. It is a prudent budget insofar as there is full recognition that the effects of the Great Recession are still with us. There is also a recognition that the global economy is changing and that South Africa needs to align its national interests to these changes.

Foundation to assist Constitutional Court as amicus curiae.
Aug 01, 2010
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Helen Suzman Foundation

On 17 April 2009, Mr Hugh Glenister launched proceedings out of the Western Cape High Court, challenging the constitutionality of the 2008 Amendment Acts – which disbanded the Directorate of Special Operations, the “Scorpions” - on the grounds that the Amendment Acts breached a number of constitutional obligations. That application was dismissed. Mr Glenister subsequently appealed to the Constitutional Court.

Statement on Protection of Information Bill and Media Appeals Tribunal
Jul 30, 2010
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Helen Suzman Foundation

The Helen Suzman Foundation notes with concern the introduction of the Protection of Information Bill. While we concede that every state needs to maintain its national security, the Bill’s understanding of the “national interest” is so broadly defined as to raise questions about the intention of the Bill.