
South Africa
Regional group:African Group (AG)
Council member:
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National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up (NMIRF): Ad hoc |
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National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up (NMIRF): Ad hoc |
The need for an integrated approach to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for the full realisation of human rights, focusing holistically on the means of implementation; Strengthening of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Rectification of the legal status of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights; Nelson Mandela International Day; Human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity; Elaboration of an international legally binding instrument on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights; Promotion and protection of the human rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas; The role of good governance in the promotion and protection of human rights; The right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
During HRC general discussions, panel debates and interactive dialogues with the Special Procedures, during the past three years, either as an HRC member or not, the State has joined:
Regional or subregional
group statements
Political group
statements
Cross-regional
group statements
Other joint
statements
Overall, as a HRC member, has participated in more than 10% of panel discussions, general debates and interactive dialogues.
Longest visit request not (yet) accepted by the State >
SR on summary executions, 2008
CAT
ICCPR
CED
CEDAW
CERD
ICESCR
CRC
CRPD
Ratified
NPM established
South Africa tabled voluntary pledges and commitments in support for its candidacy for membership for the period 2014-2016 on 9 September 2013. South Africa made a number of concrete pledges and commitments at both international and national levels.
At international level, South Africa pledged to: maintain its Standing Invitation to Special Procedures and continue to receive visits; fulfil visit commitments for the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women; respect and protect the independence of OHCHR; contribute financially (un-earmarked) to OHCHR; support various UN human rights trust funds; support the trust fund for the permanent UN memorial to the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade; continue to advocate for a balanced sustainable development programme within the human rights framework; push for amendments to the two international covenants to include the right to development; continue to submit periodic reports to the Treaty Bodies
Domestically, South Africa emphasised that it was in the process of ratifying the ICESCR, ICESCR-OP, ICRMW, CAT-OP, CPED, the Convention relating to the status of stateless persons, and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. It will also submit a national action plan on racism, as required by the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
An analysis of steps taken by South Africa in fulfilment of its international level pledges shows that South Africa has maintained its Standing Invitation, and has accepted 10 out of 17 visit requests. For those international instruments to which South Africa is Party, it tends to submit its reports late and has two outstanding reports. South Africa ratified the ICESCR in 2015, but has so far not ratified the other international instruments mentioned in its voluntary pledges and commitments. South Africa did not make a voluntary contribution to OHCHR in 2014.