Human rights are a cornerstone of the Netherlands’ foreign policy

We believe that where human rights are flourishing, the constitutional state and democracy have better chances. The Netherlands strives to protect and promote human rights all over the world. Prioritises include the protection of human rights defenders, LGBTIQ+ community,  and rights for women.

In preparation for a dialogue to conclude on this process will be held on the 30th November - 1st December 2022, an open forum to host a dialogue between Human Rights Defenders & the Diplomatic Call in South Africa was hosted today 22 September, by the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), the Human Rights Institute of South Africa (HURISA), Southern Africa Defenders and CIVICUS. This is an opportunity for diplomatic representatives to interact with groups working to defend human rights and civic space in South Africa.

Human Rights Defenders and experts will provide an assessment of the civic space and challenges faced by human rights defenders in South Africa. The dialogue will explore ways through which governmental and non-governmental stakeholders can work together to implement recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review.

CivSource is providing facilitation support to a dialogue on Human Rights Defenders in the region, and was invited to attend the first engagement of open discussion with South Africa's active Human Rights Defenders from Civil and Community based organisations, was hosted today at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation offices; funded and hosted by CIVICUS & The Kingdom of The Netherlands.

Like many places in the world, Southern Africa is currently experiencing regression towards authoritarianism.  Laws, policies and political environments  have become restrictive, in fact hostile for media and human rights defenders. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) with rights-based mandates face greater barriers and public censure. Interrelated areas of democratic governance and rule of law follow similar patterns of erosion.

The SADC states are parties to an impressive array of international human rights instruments at UN, AU and SADC level. Clearly, ratification of these instruments is not enough. This is most visible in the ongoing conflict in DRC, crackdowns on civil society in Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho and the conflict in the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique.  In South Africa high levels of inequality, poverty and unemployment, compounded by corruption, crime and violence against women restricts enjoyment of human rights. In Angola impunity for human rights abuses continues. Malawi’s anti-homosexuality laws contravene several regional and international human rights treaties. Zambia under a new administration is grappling to break from an authoritarian past.