Right to Freedom of Expression 15. The Commission commends the: i. 11. enactment of the Promotion ofAccess to Information Act (2000), in addition to designating the South African Human Rights Commission to promote the right to access information and monitor compliance with the legislation; development of a manual for all staff members working on requests for access to information to ensure that requests are processed in line with the ideals of the Act and Constitution; 111. proposed repeal in the Judicial Matters Amendment Bill decriminalizing IV. establishment of the Media Development and Diversity Agency to enable the common law crime of defamation; and historically disadvantaged communities and persons not adequately served by the media, to gain access to the media and assist in the creation of an enabling environment for media development and diversity. Prohibition of Torture, Cruel, Inhumane and Degrading Treatment 16. The Commission commends the: i. enactment of the Prevention and Combating of Torture of Persons Act, 2013 prohibiting and combating torture; u. iii. iv. development of programmes to promote public awareness about torture; abolition of the concept and practice of solitary confinement wherein inmates are detained in total isolation for long periods of time; new mandate of the Independent Police and Investigative Directorate (IP1D) to conduct independent and impartial investigations on complaints of torture or assault against a Police Officer in the execution of his or her duties; and v. development of the Policy on the Prevention of Torture and Treatment of Persons in Custody ofthe South African Police Service setting out a system of checks and balances to protect persons in police custody from acts of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Due Process and Conditions of Detention 17. The Commission commends the: i. existence of a system of Independent Correctional Centre Visitors (Independent Visitors) in each Correctional Centre to deal with 12 | P a g e