THE submission of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) report to the UN coincides with anti-racism month in South Africa.
Anti-racism week is held annually in March.
It culminates on Human Rights Day and the international day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination on March 21. It is an annual action week aimed at creating public awareness and how it affects individuals and broader society.
The Cabinet had approved the submission of South Africa’s ninth to 11th periodic country report on ICERD. Acting Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the report outlined progress made by the country in putting in place legislative, judicial and administrative measures to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.
She said the periodic report focused on the progress made in advancing equality, fighting xenophobia and other related intolerance, the prevention of hate crimes, and highlights challenges that still remain. After its presentation to the relevant body, the report will be made public.
Darren Bergman, the DA Shadow Minister for International Relations and Co-operation, said the timing of Cabinet approval, although commendable in spirit, was concerning in behaviour. “The country needs to get serious and not let loyalty to leaders fog our judgment of protecting, preserving and growing the continent's people and giving them peace and power.”
“When it comes to fighting xenophobia and race-based human rights, South Africa is ambiguous and sometimes hypocritical by choosing loyalty over justice. Sometimes we are the mouthpiece of Gaza and Western Sahara and comfortably cheerleading behind countries like China and Russia. In Africa, we have neighbours behaving badly that we dare not interfere (with) but we happily interfere in countries continents away,” Bergman said.
Ahmed Kathrada Foundation director Neeshan Bolton said the awareness month was about ensuring that there was a countrywide focus on tackling racism and that it remained on the national agenda. The aim was to get all sectors of society involved and to encourage self-initiated activities during the week.
The foundation is also part of the national Anti-Racism Network of South Africa (ARNSA).
A noticeable trend in many of these instances, said Bolton, was the inability of stakeholders to bring people together to find joint and long-term solutions.
“There’s often a polarity of views that is sometimes further exacerbated by political or community leadership, with little regard for the serious consequences that inflamed racial tensions can result in. At the same time globally, we’re seeing how people are shifting towards views and beliefs that are increasingly more exclusionary. We’re witnessing the re-emergence of the global right who are more connected and organised,” he said.
Daily News