THE chairperson of a parliamentary portfolio committee has submitted two legislative proposals aimed at protecting gender and human rights after noting the "abuse" suffered by athlete Caster Semenya.

THE chairperson of a parliamentary portfolio committee has submitted two legislative proposals aimed at protecting gender and human rights after noting the "abuse" suffered by athlete Caster Semenya.

Vytjie Mentor, the chairperson of the committee on public enterprises, wants to empower the Commission on Gender Equality and the Human Rights Commission to "actively" champion the gender and human rights of all South Africans when their rights are violated.

"The proposals come in the light of the abuse meted out to Caster Semenya by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)," a statement from Mentor's office said yesterday.

The IAAF subjected Semenya to gender tests during the world championships in Germany last month.

Mentor has submitted two private members' legislative proposals to amend the Commission on Gender Equality Act of 1996 and Human Rights Commission Act of 1994.

Her office said she had already submitted a petition instructing Athletics South Africa (ASA) to demand compensation from the IAAF on behalf of Semenya for the suffering and humiliation she had to undergo.

"The chairperson has also called on ASA, the Commission on Gender Equality and the South African Human Rights Commission to condemn IAAF's behaviour and demand an apology." - Sapa