A draft report on South Africa's progress towards the fulfillment of its international obligations on human rights and fundamental freedoms was adopted today by a Working Group of the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC).
The report forms part of the Universal Periodic Review that the UNHRC conducts of all countries' compliance with various United Nations human rights instruments.
South Africa’s country report was delivered to the UN body last week on 31 May by a high level delegation of officials led by the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel.
The report highlights South Africa’s consolidation of constitutional democracy, as well progress made in the realisation of socio-economic and cultural rights such as housing, health and social development as well as civil and political rights enshrined in the Constitution.
According to South Africa’s Ambassador to Geneva, Abdul Minty, ‘South Africa’s report was very well received and generated positive dialogue with other states.’ He also pointed out that the report had generated considerable interest in a plenary session characterised by extensive participation at ambassadorial level.
States commended South Africa for its commitment to human rights and improving the lives of its citizens, the delivery of basic services such as housing, health and education as well as South Africa's leading role in the UNHRC, especially regarding the rights of Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Intersex (LGBTI) persons.
South Africa’s report generated a number of recommendations amongst others regarding racism and xenophobia, gender based violence, maternal and infant mortality, the ratification of international instruments as well as the Protection of State Information Bill. Many states recommended that South Africa continue and intensify existing initiatives.
In committing South Africa to study and report back on the recommendations at the 21 Session of the UNHRC in September, Deputy Minister Nel said that, ‘We appreciate the many observations and comments made regarding our efforts towards the realisation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the United Nations Bill of Rights. We believe that South Africa’s long walk to freedom can only be fulfilled when we can truly say that indeed we have healed the divisions of the past, freed the potential of all South Africans, and realised the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all our people.’
He also said that: ‘We thank the South African Human Rights Commission and other institutions in our country as well as civil society for their invaluable contributions in the preparatory process to our review.’
Nel also announced to the UN body that the Combatting and Prevention of Torture of Persons Bill had been introduced in the National Assembly on 1 June.
The Universal Periodic Review was established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2006 to assess the implementation of all human rights obligations of member states. South Africa was one of the first countries to be reviewed.
Deputy Minister Nel was accompanied by senior officials from various government departments, including Directors-General, Mr Vusi Madonsela of Social Development and Prof Charles Nwaila of Traditional Affairs as well as senior officials from International Relations and Cooperation, Justice and Constitutional Development, South African Police Service, Health, Home Affairs and Arts and Culture as well as Ambassador Abul Minty, South Africa’s Permanent Representative to United Nations in Geneva.
The meeting was held at the UN in Geneva.
For further information:
- United Nations Human Rights Commission:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/Highlights31May2012pm.aspx - Department of Justice & Constitutional Development:
http://www.justice.gov.za/m_speeches/2012/20120531_dm_sa-upr-report.pdf
Further information:
Mr L Ndimeni
Cell: 0797907763, SA Permanent Mission Geneva
Mr John Makhubele
Cell: 0828558300, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Republic of South Africa
