South African Institute of International Affairs, Western Cape Branch invites you to a public seminar to be addressed by Professor Jeremy Sarkin “Disappearances and Secret Detentions in Africa” at The Centre for the Book, 62 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens, Cape Town on Wednesday 20 October 2010 at 5:00 for 5:30 pm.

Enforced disappearances are used by some governments to silence citizens that are viewed as political liabilities. They remain one of the worst human rights violations ever practiced. They infringe on many different human rights. This talk examines the situation concerning enforced disappearances and secret detentions around the world and in Africa. It examines the context in which they occur, the extent of the problems and what can be done about them.

Jeremy Sarkin is Chairperson-Rapporteur of the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. He was elected to the Working Group in 2008 by the Human Rights Council. Sarkin is admitted to practice as attorney in the US and South Africa, was Senior Professor of Law (1990–2008) and Deputy Dean (2000-2002) at the University of the Western Cape, and served as an acting judge in 2002 and 2003 in the Cape High Court. He served as National Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee of South Africa from 1994-1998.  He is author of several books and article on human rights issues.

Entrance for members is free. Entrance for non-members is R30 or R15 on presentation of a current student identity card.

Parking is freely available behind the building after 5pm.

Please RSVP to saiia.admin@telkomsa.net or call Pippa on 021 761 4842 or 083 3052339.