Trade union Solidarity on Wednesday lodged a complaint against the SA government’s racial policy with the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

If Solidarity’s complaint is successful, the government will have to change its policy of affirmative action. According to the union, the complaint against the government stems from a long process. In 2015, Solidarity submitted a report to CERD stating that the government did not comply with the UN’s International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racism. This led CERD to make a recommendation criticising the current government’s racial classification that is similar to apartheid. Following CERD’s recommendation, the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) found in a report that the Employment Equity Act should be amended. However, the government has not taken action to implement the CERD recommendation or the SAHRC’s finding. “The fact that the government persists with its racial policy, despite CERD’s and the SAHRC’s reports, puts Solidarity in a very strong position to challenge the government’s racial policy at the UN. South Africa undersigns the UN Convention against racism. The country is therefore obliged to adjust its legislation accordingly,” Dr Dirk Hermann, Chief Executive Officer of Solidarity, pointed out.

• Read Solidarity’s press statement in the above regard at Solidarity News
• Read the complaint in full here
• Lees ook, Klag oor regering se rassebeleid ingedien, by Maroela Media

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