International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
PRESS RELEASE: South African civil society organisations submit a parallel shadow report to the United Nations Treaty Body on the implementation of socio-economic rights
South Africa ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) in January 2015. As required by the ICESCR, the South African government submitted its initial report to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) in April 2017.
Press Release: Approval process for the Ratification of ICESCR - 23 August 2013
Subsequent to Cabinet’s announcement in October 2012, Parliament extended an invitation to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ& CD) to make a presentation on 20 August 2013, as part of the formalities required for the final approval of government’s decision to ratify the ICESCR. In its presentation DOJ& CD reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to ending poverty and social inequality. Parliament will now have to deliberate on Cabinet’s proposal to ratify and make the necessary approval as provided for by the Constitution.
Mandela Day Seminar - 18 July 2011
In commemoration of the Mandela Day on 18 July 2011, several organisations including the National Welfare Forum (NWF), Global Call to Action against Poverty South Africa (GCAP-SA), Black Sash, Amnesty International South Africa, People's Health Movement - South-Africa (PHMSA) and the Community Law Centre (CLC) at the University of the Western Cape, held a seminar to advocate for the ratification for the ICESCR and its Optional Protocol. It is clear from the discussions that South Africa needs to urgently ratify the ICESCR. The ratification would strengthen the domestic protection of economic, social and cultural rights in South Africa through policy, legislation (laws) and jurisprudence (decisions of court). It was acknowledged that poverty remains a huge challenge in South Africa. The ratification of the ICESCR and its Optional Protocol would contribute substantively to the shifting of poverty and inequality in South Africa
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