U.S. Mission to International
Organizations in Geneva

U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of South Africa,

41^st Session

As Delivered by Ambassador Michèle Taylor, U.S. Ambassador to the HRC

Thank you, Mr. President.

The United States welcomes the distinguished South African delegation led by the Deputy Minister.

South Africa’s robust democracy is grounded by a constitution that “enshrines the rights of all people and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality, and freedom.”

We recommend that South Africa:

1. Condemn violence and extremist rhetoric targeting foreign nationals, investigate and prosecute xenophobic violence and racial discrimination, and implement anti-xenophobic interventions envisioned in the National Action Plan to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.
2. Improve coordination between government agencies to identify trafficking victims and issue appropriate immigration documents to foreign victims in accordance with the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act.
3. Stand up as well as fund the Gender-based Violence and Femicide Council as envisioned by the 2020 National Strategic Plan on GBVF.

We wish South Africa a successful UPR and look forward to partnership in their new role as a member of the HRC.  I thank you.

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