On September 2, in partnership with DKA Austria, the CCIG conducted an introductory meeting with civil society actors in South Africa to introduce opportunities to voice their concerns about the most pressing human rights issues affecting their country through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The Rural Women’s Assembly (RWA) also contributed to the meeting with valuable insights on the previous UPR of South Africa. 

The meeting began with a brief explanation from CCIG on the UPR mechanism, with an emphasis on the tentative timeline for South Africa’s review in 2027. CCIG also highlighted the support available to civil society coordinators in South Africa, such as future UPR trainings and assistance with drafting UPR submissions. 

Afterwards, in relation to the previous UPR of South Africa, the RWA shared its direct experience with engaging in the UPR process, also providing practical recommendations and guidance on local advocacy and mobilization for increased rights of rural women. If the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP) provides a valuable framework, including with regard to the rights to food and land, the methodology in drafting the previous UPR submission revolved around staying committed to emphasizing and highlighting the country’s realities. RWA is aiming to continue its efforts to expand rights for rural and peasant people in the upcoming UPR. 

During the exchange that followed the speaker’s presentations, local participants identified their key human rights priorities for future UPR advocacy, including right to land, right to food, and rights of peasants, increased women’s participation and protection, including in the context of mining, and the eradication of gender based violence. 

Through this partnership, CCIG aims to continue to encourage and support local South African organisations to take an active role in their country’s UPR process and to advocate more effectively for increased human rights practices within their communities. We are enthusiastic to see their engagement and advocacy in South Africa’s upcoming UPR review in 2027 and ready to support them through tailored training and technical assistance.