United Nations Commission on Human Rights (CHR)

HISTORY AND PRESENT STATUS

The 53 members of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) are elected by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a three-year term. Members meet for a six-week period from mid-March to April every year. South Africa has been a member of the inter-governmental body for the periods, 1997-1999; 2001-2003 and is currently a member until 2006. The South African delegation actively participates in negotiating draft resolutions on human rights situations; both country-specific (e.g. Occupied Palestinian Territory) and thematic (e.g. torture, indigenous peoples'). The Commission is also involved in developing international human rights law, and international human rights norms and standards.

OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND COOPERATING ORGANISATIONS

Department of Justice as lead department for human rights
South African Human Rights Commission
Department of Provincial and Local Government

GENERAL COMMENTS

As a member of the CHR, South Africa may also vote for human rights experts on the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, which constitutes the 'think-tank' and undertakes studies on various matters related to human rights.

A proposed Human Rights Council is currently being discussed at the 60th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.