Following the first democratic elections in 1994, South Africa returned to the international community in 1995 to assume its rightful place among the community of nations. In 2006, South Africa demonstrated its commitment to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms when it played an integral role in the transition from the erstwhile Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to the Human Rights Council (HRC).
South Africa was successfully elected to the Council as a founding member for two consecutive terms from 2006 to 2010. The country was also elected to two additional consecutive terms from 2014 to 2019. Since the end of its previous term of membership in the Council, South Africa has consistently played a key and active role in the development of international human rights and humanitarian law, focusing on the maximum protection for victims of human rights abuses and violations, including the concomitant adequate remedies and the combating of impunity. South Africa remains dedicated to fulfilling its commitments to advance human rights and fundamental freedoms for all consistent with its Constitutional provisions.
On Monday, 28 February 2022, Minister Naledi Pandor delivered the keynote address at the launch of South Africa’s campaign for re-election to the Human Rights Council, which was hosted by South Africa’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.