The Commission was established in terms of Chapter 9, Section 181, 185 and 186 of the Constitution.

Act No. 19 of 2002:
Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities Act, 2002.

"Commission" means the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities referred to in Section 3;

"Community council" means a voluntary association of persons or community organisations based on the principle of freedom of association and which represents a cultural, religious or linguistic community and includes a cultural council envisaged by Section 185(1)(c) of the Constitution;

"Constitutional institution" means an institution listed in Schedule 1 to the public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No.1 of 1999);

"Minister" means the member of Cabinet contemplated in Section 2;

"National consultive conference" means a national consultive conference convened under Section 24;

"Organ of state" means an organ of state as defined in Section 239 of the Constitution;

"Prescribe" means prescribe by a regulation made in terms of Section 39;

"This Act" includes any regulation made in terms of Section 39.

Objects of Commission:
Powers and Functions of Commission:

Mandate
The key strategic areas within the Commission will carry out their Mandate.

• Public Education and Information
• Investigation and Dispute Resolution
• Policy and Research
• Community Councils
• National Consultive Conference

Vision
To contribute meaningfully and constructively to social transformation and nation building for the attainment of a truly united South African nation.

Mission
To promote and develop peace, friendship, humanity, tolerance and national unity among cultural, religious and linguistic communities. To achieve this mission, the CRL Commission shall:

• Be the channel of communication between the state and communities
• Monitor compliance by the State and Civil Society with its mandate
• Mediate in inter-community conflict situations and facilitate harmonious co-existence
• Facilitate the development of programmes that foster sensitivity, respect and understanding for cultural, religious and linguistic diversity
• Lobby Government Departments and legislative authorities in order to identify and recommend, amending, repealing or enacting laws undermining or supporting those rights respectively

Values and Principles
In line with Chapter 10 Section 195 (1) of the Constitution and provisions of the King 2 Report, the Commission will be governed by the democratic Values and Principles enshrined in the Constitution including the following principles:

• A high standard of professional ethics
• Efficient, Economic and Effective use of Resources
• Constructive social transformation and a development-orientated approach
• Services must be provided impartially, fairly, equitably and without bias
• People's needs must be responded to, and the CRL Communities must be encouraged to participate in policy-making
• Accountability is crucial for the Commission
• Transparency will be fostered at all times
• Good people management, development, utilization and Employment Equity practices