South Africa

South Africa

Table of Contents

Overview

South Africa is covered by the OHCHR Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA). The office provides technical assistance on the promotion and protection of human rights with a focus on protecting civic space, early warning and prevention, tackling gender-based violence and discrimination, integrating human rights in development, strengthening national protection systems and human rights reporting and follow-up to recommendations.

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News & Statements

Latest news

11 Aug 2023

Special Procedures

South Africa must tackle crude legacy of environmental racism and toxic exposure: UN expert

27 Jul 2023

Special Procedures

UN expert on toxics and human rights to visit South Africa

26 May 2023

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Türk welcomes arrest of Rwanda genocide suspect Fulgence Kayishema

13 Mar 2023

Treaty bodies

South Africa must fully comply with international obligations to prevent torture, experts urge after first country visit

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Latest statements & messages

07 Mar 2023

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Global update: High Commissioner outlines concerns in over 40 countries

26 Sep 2019

Special Procedures

Preliminary findings on her visit to the Republic of South Africa16 to 26 September 2019

14 Dec 2015

Special Procedures

Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its causes and consequences finalizes country visit to South Africa

13 Oct 2011

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Keynote address by the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the International Criminal Justice Sentencing and Post-Conflict Societies

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Featured Stories

065-Margaret_Molomo
29 December 2020 Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

South African environmental activist demands responsible business practices during COVID-19

Margaret Ghogha Molomo, an environmental activist in South Africa, says that protecting her community from destructive mining companies has been made harder by the assembly restrictions during COVID-19.
038-Ntethelelo_Foundation
29 November 2019 Working Group on discrimination against women and girls

Turning the tide on gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa

Through her innovative approach to healing and transformation, Thokozani Ndabaand and the young women she supports bring new hope to the survivors of sexual violence in Setswetla, just outside Alexandra township in South Africa.
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Universal Periodic Review

Core documents for the current and previous cycles and letter by the High Commissioner to the Foreign Minister

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States. The UPR is a State-driven process, under the auspices of the Human Rights Council, which provides the opportunity for each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations.

Special Procedures

Reports

A/HRC/43/42/Add.1: Visit to South Africa - Report of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism

Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences on her mission to South Africa: Comments by the State

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Special Procedures country visits

Treaty Bodies

Reports

CEDAW/C/ZAF/CO/5: Concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of South Africa

CAT/C/ZAF/CO/2: Concluding observations on the second periodic report of South Africa

E/C.12/ZAF/CO/1: Concluding observations on the initial report of South Africa

CRPD/C/ZAF/CO/1: Concluding observations on the initial report of South Africa

CRC/C/ZAF/CO/2: Concluding observations on the second periodic report of South Africa

CRC/C/OPSC/ZAF/CO/1: Concluding observations on the initial report submitted by South Africa under article 12 (1) of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography

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Status & Reporting

Status of Ratifications Reporting Status Standing invitation to Special Procedures Voluntary Pledges and Commitments

External Resources

African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights African Court of Justice African Union Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions

Note: OHCHR is not responsible for the content of external links.

Contact Information

Headquarters

Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division (FOTCD)
Contact in Geneva, Switzerland.

Africa Branch
Tel. +41 22 917 9220

Photo credit:  EPA/Nic Bothma

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