Human Rights Committee (HRC)

HISTORY AND PRESENT STATUS

South Africa is a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Covenant makes provision for the establishment of an 18-member Human Rights Committee, which considers obligatory country reports on measures adopted and progress made in achieving the observance of the rights enshrined in the Covenant. The members of the committee are experts nominated by States Parties, but serve in their personal capacity for a term of four years. As a State Party to the Covenant, South Africa is entitled to vote for candidates presented by other States Parties. South Africa currently has no representation on the Committee. South Africa will participate in HRC elections for nine vacancies that will take place in New York in September 2006.

OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND COOPERATING ORGANISATIONS

Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.