Keyword: International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights

Ratification of Human Rights Treaty Reaffirms SA's Commitment to Socio-Economic Rights and Internationalism

Picture: President Nelson Mandela at the United Nations (UN) in New York courtesy Milton Grant/UN Daniel McLaren - On 12 January 2015, South Africa ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Though ratification is long overdue, given that President Nelson Mandela signed the Covenant in 1994, this statement of renewed commitment to social and economic justice and internationalism has been roundly and justifiably welcomed. But what is the significance of this moment? To answer that, we must briefly revisit a very different time. 1976 was a year of tragedy and...