Cape Town – South Africa will use its experience in democracy in the UN Human Rights Council, Deputy International Relations Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim said on Friday.

He said the country was committed to strengthening international human rights through government’s principled position on democracy.

This position affirmed the inextricable link between economic, social, and cultural rights with civil and political rights.

“South Africa has pledged to use its position within the council to advance a rules-based, just and equitable human rights system that is dedicated to the respect for the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights, and to ensure that the UN human rights system affords maximum protection to victims of human rights violations.”

The country was elected to serve on the council with 14 other member states of the UN.

South Africa received 169 votes out of 193 votes.

The council deliberates on the development, promotion, protection, and fulfilment of international human rights law, norms and standards.

Ebrahim said the country had previously served two consecutive terms on the council as a founding member, from 2006 to 2010.

The new term begins on 1 January next year.

– SAPA