South Africa’s human rights record will be reviewed for the first time by the UN Human Rights Committee.
As one of the 168 States that have ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)‚ South Africa is required to undergo review by the Committee on how it is implementing the Covenant. The Committee‚ which is composed of 18 international independent members‚ will discuss a range of issues relating to the ICCPR with a delegation from the South African Government‚ in Geneva‚ Switzerland‚ next week.
Members will also be briefed by NGO representatives and the South African Human Rights Commission.
South Africa has submitted a report to the Committee on the implementation of its human rights obligations‚ and non-governmental organisations have also sent reports for the Committee’s consideration.
The government has highlighted its “willingness to maintain a legal and social order that would uphold the values that underlie the Covenant”‚ starting with the protection of human rights under the Constitution.
It concedes: “While much progress has been made‚ challenges remain and the Government remains focused on addressing these challenges”.
Issues raised by NGOs include the struggle for protection of the rights of Transgender and Intersex Persons and women’s rights. Representations are also being made by the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum‚ Right2Know and Legal Resources Centre.
The SA delegation includes Susan Shabangu‚ minister in the presidency responsible for women‚ International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers and Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development John Jeffery.
The Committee will publish its findings‚ officially termed concluding observations‚ on South Africa and the other countries being reviewed – Namibia‚ Sweden‚ New Zealand‚ Slovenia Costa Rica and Rwanda – on March 30.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic‚ Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) are marking their 50th anniversary in 2016. The UN Human Rights Office is running a campaign‚ entitled “Our Rights‚ Our Freedoms‚ Always”‚ throughout the year to promote and raise awareness of the two treaties. The campaign is focussing on the timeless themes of rights and freedoms‚ in particular freedom from fear‚ freedom of speech‚ freedom of worship and freedom from want‚ and the work that continues to secure and ensure them.
UN reviews South Africa’s human rights record
South Africa’s human rights record will be reviewed for the first time by the UN Human Rights Committee.
As one of the 168 States that have ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)‚ South Africa is required to undergo review by the Committee on how it is implementing the Covenant. The Committee‚ which is composed of 18 international independent members‚ will discuss a range of issues relating to the ICCPR with a delegation from the South African Government‚ in Geneva‚ Switzerland‚ next week.
Members will also be briefed by NGO representatives and the South African Human Rights Commission.
South Africa has submitted a report to the Committee on the implementation of its human rights obligations‚ and non-governmental organisations have also sent reports for the Committee’s consideration.
The government has highlighted its “willingness to maintain a legal and social order that would uphold the values that underlie the Covenant”‚ starting with the protection of human rights under the Constitution.
It concedes: “While much progress has been made‚ challenges remain and the Government remains focused on addressing these challenges”.
Issues raised by NGOs include the struggle for protection of the rights of Transgender and Intersex Persons and women’s rights. Representations are also being made by the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum‚ Right2Know and Legal Resources Centre.
The SA delegation includes Susan Shabangu‚ minister in the presidency responsible for women‚ International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers and Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development John Jeffery.
The Committee will publish its findings‚ officially termed concluding observations‚ on South Africa and the other countries being reviewed – Namibia‚ Sweden‚ New Zealand‚ Slovenia Costa Rica and Rwanda – on March 30.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic‚ Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) are marking their 50th anniversary in 2016. The UN Human Rights Office is running a campaign‚ entitled “Our Rights‚ Our Freedoms‚ Always”‚ throughout the year to promote and raise awareness of the two treaties. The campaign is focussing on the timeless themes of rights and freedoms‚ in particular freedom from fear‚ freedom of speech‚ freedom of worship and freedom from want‚ and the work that continues to secure and ensure them.
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