SA rights stand is proof of ‘new dawn’
FOLLOWING the passing of the resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar in the United Nations General Assembly at the weekend, International Relations and Co-operation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said South Africa’s vote in support of the resolution was a demonstration of a new dawn in foreign policy and a return to founding principles of standing against human rights violations.
The minister added that South Africa’s support for the resolution was in line with its new way of approaching resolutions in all multilateral bodies.
“All resolutions on country-speccific situations will be assessed with different stakeholders involved,” Sisulu said. Sisulu is to expected to hold a seminar with the country’s diplomats next month to discuss the UN Security Council (UNSC) programme and South Africa’s obligations within the UN system.
She said: “2019 is an exciting year for South Africa as we take our non-permanent seat in the UNSC for the next two years. l will engage diplomats to discuss our approach and the issues we should focus on during our tenure, among them being silencing the guns in Africa, addressing the scourge of extremism and terrorism, and protecting women, children and civilians in conflict situations.”
Last week, South Africa participated in voting in the UN General Assembly as it passed the resolution on human rights in Myanmar, where Rohingya Muslims continued to be targeted based on their ethnicity.
Sisulu said South Africa’s support for the resolution was in line with its new way of approaching resolutions in all multilateral bodies.