Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 41st Session

Universal Periodic Review of South Africa

Statement by Australia

16 November 2022

Thank you, [President/Vice President]

Australia commends South Africa on the establishment of its strong constitutional and legal framework to address human rights issues during the democratic era.

Australia welcomes the release of South Africa’s National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2020-2030 and the appointment of members to its new National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council in 2022. We commend South Africa for its commitment to address the scourge of gender-based violence, including through development of the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (2020) and passage of relevant legislation in 2021 and 2022. We also welcome the development of the National Action Plan to combat Xenophobia, Racism and Discrimination (2019).

Australia recommends that South Africa:

1. Accelerate implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2020-2030, the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (2020) and the National Action Plan to combat Xenophobia, Racism and Discrimination (2019).
2. Ratify the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
3. Legislate to protect the rights of whistle-blowers and human rights defenders.

[176 words]