ICERD Member Spotlight: South Africa

South Africa signed the ICERD in 1998, 29 years after it was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

BI-ANNUAL REPORTING

Members submit reports every two years. It wasn't until May 2005, however, that South Africa submitted a joint report including the initial, second, and third reports, originally due January 2000, 2002, and 2004 respectively.

THE SOUTH AFRICA REPORT

Because the Committee is scheduled to convene and discuss the report from July 31 - August 18, 2006, Committee observations are not yet available.

Following, however, are highlights of the only report submitted by South Africa to date (it includes an interesting history of the country):

A Promotion of Equality Act "envisages the eventual transformation of all the courts into 'Equality Courts'...[and establishes] a number of specialised statutory dispute resolution courts; tribunals and forums open to victims of racism and racial discrimination."

The provision of legal assistance and representation, via the Legal Aid Act, as amended by Act No. 20 of 1996, provides critical access to courts.

The Education Values Initiative aims to transform the educational system "from one of the pillars of apartheid to one of the key building blocks of the non-racial and non-sexist society that is envisioned in the Constitution."

The "Truth and Reconciliation Commission...has contributed significantly towards building some understanding across racial lines."

Measures have been taken to accelerate the representation of Black people at all levels and in all structures of the judiciall system.

A South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 abolishes segregation in education and addresses the legacy of institutionalized racism in the education system.

Measures have been taken to eliminate all propoganda organizations based on the theory of racial superiority.

Measures have been taken to promote equality and non-discrimination in the enjoyment of civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights.

Education to combat prejudice and promote friendship has become a key initiative. Despite the numerous actions taken to date to deal with the legacy of institutionalized racism, the South African report repeatedly mentions that the gap between reality and vision remains very wide.