South Africa Fails to Support Positive U.N. Action for Human Rights
General Assembly Resolutions
- Syria resolutions (2014, 2015, 2016 GA resolutions) – South Africa abstained along with countries like Ethiopia/Philippines. EU and US always voted in favor and Botswana, Gabon, Tunisia also voted in favor. In the 72nd session, South Africa again abstained along with Ethiopia, Pakistan, and other non-democracies. However, Botswana, Cameroon, Djibouti, Gambia, and EU states voted in favor.
- Iran resolution (2016 and 2017 GA Resolutions) – South Africa voted No along with China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russia, and Venezuela). However, EU states, Botswana, and Liberia voted yes.
- DPRK Resolution (2015 GA Resolutions) – South Africa abstained along with DRC, Eritrea, Pakistan, and other non-democracies. However, Ghana, Haiti, Morocco, Philippines voted in favor along with the EU and the Obama Administration.
Human Rights Council Resolutions
- At the June 2017 session, South Africa abstained on resolutions condemning human rights abuses in Syria. EU states, Ghana, Panama, Rwanda and Togo voted in favor.
- At the June 2017 session, South Africa abstained on a resolution condemning human rights abuses in Belarus.
- At the June 2016 session, South Africa abstained on the resolution appointing a special rapporteur on violence against gays. Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Panama voted in favor of this resolution.
- At the March 2017, South Africa abstained on the Iran resolution extending the mandate of the special rapporteur. Panama and Rwanda voted in favor.
- At the March 2016 session, South Africa voted No on the Iran resolution. Botswana and Panama voted in favor.
Chart of South Africa’s voting record at the United Nations from 2015 to 2018
| Resolution Symbol and Title | Date | Description | Desired vote | South Africa Vote | Other States’ votes |
| General Assembly Resolutions | |||||
| A/Res/69/180 Human rights and unilateral coercive measures Resolution; Voting record |
Jan. 30, 2015 | Denying right to sanction human rights abusers | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Russia and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/Res/69/188 Situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Resolution; Voting record |
Jan. 21, 2015 | Condemning human rights abuses in DPRK | Yes | Abstain (joining Libya, Pakistan, and Qatar, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/Res/69/189 Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic Resolution; Voting record |
Jan. 29, 2015 | Condemning human rights violations in Syria | Yes | Abstain (joining Eritrea, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Vietnam, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/Res/69/190 Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran Resolution; Voting record |
Jan. 21, 2015 | Speaking out for human rights victims in Iran |
Yes | Abstain (joining Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/Res/70/151 Human rights and unilateral coercive measures Resolution; Voting record |
March 7, 2016 | Denying right to sanction human rights abusers | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Russia and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/Res/70/172 Human rights in DPRK Resolution; Voting record |
Feb. 25, 2016 | Condemning human rights violations in DPRK | Yes | Abstain (joining DRC, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Qatar, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/Res/70/173 Situation of human rights in Iran Resolution; Voting record |
Feb. 25, 2016 | Speaking out for human rights victims in Iran | Yes | Abstain (joining Pakistan, Qatar, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/Res/70/156 Human rights and cultural diversity Resolution; Voting record |
March 3, 2016 | Praising dictatorships for so-called cultural diversity | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/Res/70/234 Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic Resolution; Voting record |
March 9, 2016 | Condemning human rights violations in Syria | Yes | Abstain (joining Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Philippines, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/Res/71/193 Human rights and unilateral coercive measures Resolution; Voting record |
Jan. 20, 2017 | Denying right to sanction human rights abusers | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/Res/71/203 Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic Resolution; Voting record |
Feb. 1, 2017 | Condemning human rights violations in Syria | Yes | Abstain (joining Ethiopia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/Res/71/204 Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran Resolution; Voting record |
Feb. 1, 2017 | Speaking out for human rights victims in Iran | Yes | No (joining China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/Res/71/221 Entrepreneurship for sustainable development Resolution; Voting record |
Feb. 7, 2017 | Encouraging states to promote entrepreneurship as a way of stimulating economic growth in developing countries | Yes | Abstain (joining China, Turkey, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/Res/72/168 Human rights and unilateral coercive measures Resolution; Voting record |
Jan. 25, 2018 | Denying right to sanction human rights abusers | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/Res/72/170 Human rights and cultural diversity Resolution; Voting record |
Jan. 23, 2018 | Praising dictatorships for so-called cultural diversity | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/Res/72/189 Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran Resolution; Voting record |
Jan. 19, 2018 | Speaking out for human rights victims in Iran | Yes | No (joining China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/Res/72/191 Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic Resolution; Voting record |
Jan. 23, 2018 | Condemning human rights violations in Syria | yes | Abstain (joining Eritrea, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Sudan, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| Human Rights Council Resolutions | |||||
| A/HRC/Res/28/1 Composition of staff of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
April 10, 2015 | Seeking to restrict independence of the High Commissioner in choosing his own staff | No | Yes (joining China, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/28/8 The effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights |
April 13, 2015 | Seeking to treat problem of foreign debt as human rights problem to be addressed by Human Rights Council, diverting Council’s attention from serious human rights issues that require urgent attention | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/28/20 The continuing grave deterioration in the human rights and humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic |
April 8, 2015 | Condemning human rights violations in Syria | Yes | Abstain (joining Nigeria, Pakistan, and Vietnam, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/28/21 Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran |
April 8, 2015 | Extending mandate of special rapproteur on the situation of human rights in Iran | Yes | Abstain (joining Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/28/22 Situation of human rights in the DPRK |
April 8, 2015 | Condemning human rights violations in the DPRK | Yes | Abstain (joining Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/29/3 Human rights and international solidarity |
July 21, 2015 | Attempting to create a new foundational principle of international law called “international solidarity” | No | Yes (joining China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/29/16 The grave and deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic |
July 22, 2015 | Condemning human rights violations in Syria | Yes | Abstain (joining Nigeria, Pakistan, and Vietnam, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/29/17 Situation of human rights in Belarus |
July 22, 2015 | Condemning human rights violations in Belarus | Yes | Abstain (Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/29/23 Cooperation and assistance to Ukraine in the field of human rights |
July 21, 2015 | Welcoming technical assistance to Ukraine and inviting further reporting by the High Commissioner on the human rights situation in Ukraine | Yes | Abstain (joining Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, and Vietnam, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/30/2 Human Rights and Unilateral Coercive Measures |
Oct. 12, 2015 | Denying right to sanction human rights abusers | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Russia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/30/6 The use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right to peoples of self-determination |
Oct. 1, 2015 | Anti-Western resolution seeking to limit ability to engage in operations to maintain international security | No | Yes (China, Cuba, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/30/10 The grave and deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic |
Oct. 13, 2015 | Condemning human rights violations in Syria | Yes | Abstain (joining Nigeria, Pakistan, and Vietnam, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/30/12 Promotion of the Right to Peace |
Oct. 13, 2015 | Seeking to develop a collective “right to peace,” contrary to idea that human rights are universal and are held and exercised by individuals | No | Yes (joining China, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/30/15 Human rights and preventing and countering violent extremism |
Oct. 12, 2015 | Expressing concern about violent extremism and calling on states to respect human rights and international law in countering violent extremism | Yes | No (joining Russia and Venezuela) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/30/28 The right to development |
Oct. 13, 2015 | Divisive resolution on so-called “right to development” about which there is no international consensus | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/30/29 Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order |
Oct. 13, 2015 | Divisive resolution failing to comprehensively deal with the issues and omitting duties and obligations of states with respect to issues addressed | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/31/1 Composition of staff of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
April 13, 2016 | Seeking to restrict independence of the High Commissioner in choosing his own staff | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/31/11 The effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights |
April 20, 2016 | Seeking to treat problem of foreign debt as human rights problem to be addressed by Human Rights Council, diverting Council’s attention from serious human rights issues that require urgent attention | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) |
The EU voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/31/17 The human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic |
April 8, 2016 | Condemning human rights violations in Syria | Yes | Abstain (joining Ethiopia, Nigeria, Philippines, and Vietnam, etc.) | The EU voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/31/19 Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran |
April 20, 2016 | Extending mandate of Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran | Yes | No (joining China, Cuba, Russia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/31/37 The promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests |
April 12, 2016 | Calling for protection of rights of peaceful protesters | Yes | Abstain (joining Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, etc.) | The EU voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/32/2 Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity |
July 15, 2016 | Appointing independent expert on violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity | Yes | Abstain (Joining the Philippines, etc.) | The EU voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/32/9 Human rights and international solidarity |
July 18, 2016 | Attempting to create a new foundational principle of international law called “international solidarity” | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam) | The EU voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/32/23 Protection of the family: role of the family in supporting the protection and promotion of human rights of persons with disabilities |
July 18, 2016 | Diminishing role and responsibility of states in protecting persons with disabilities | No | Yes (joining Burundi, Cuba, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/32/25 The human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic |
July 15, 2016 | Condemning human rights violations in Syria | Yes | Abstain (joining Ethiopia, Nigeria, Philippines, and Vietnam, etc.) | The EU voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/32/26 Situation of human rights in Belarus |
July 15, 2016 | Condemning human rights violations in Belarus | Yes | Abstain (joining Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Philippines, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, etc.) | The EU voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/32/28 Declaration on the right to peace |
July 18, 2016 | Seeking to develop a collective “right to peace,” contrary to idea that human rights are universal and are held and exercised by individuals | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU voted against or abstained |
| A/HRC/Res/32/29 Cooperation with and assistance to Ukraine in the field of human rights |
July 18, 2016 | Welcoming technical assistance to Ukraine and inviting further reporting by the High Commissioner on the human rights situation in Ukraine | Yes | Abstain (joining Ethiopia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, etc.) | The EU voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/32/31 Civil society space |
July 20, 2016 | Calling on states to respect and protect civil society actors operating in their territories | Yes | No (joining China, Congo, Cuba, Nigeria, Russia and Venezuela) | The EU voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/33/4 The use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination |
Oct. 5, 2016 | Anti-Western resolution seeking to limit ability to engage in operations to maintain international security | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/33/14 The right to development |
Oct. 5, 2016 | Divisive resolution on so-called “right to development” about which there is no international consensus | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU voted against or abstained |
| A/HRC/Res/33/23 The human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic |
Oct. 6, 2016 | Condemning human rights violation in Syria | Yes | Abstain (joining Ethiopia, Nigeria, Philippines, and Vietnam, etc.) | The EU voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/33/24 Situation of human rights in Burundi |
Oct. 5, 2016 | Condemning human rights violations in Burundi | Yes | Abstain (joining Nigeria, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, etc.) | The EU voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/34/3 Mandate of the Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights |
April 6, 2017 | Seeking to treat problem of foreign debt as human rights problem to be addressed by Human Rights Council, diverting Council’s attention from serious human rights issues that require urgent attention | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/34/13 Human rights and unilateral coercive measures |
April 7, 2017 | Denying right to sanction human rights abusers | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/34/23 Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran |
April 3, 2017 | Extending mandate of Special rapporteur on human rights in Iran | Yes | Abstain (joining Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Philippines, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/34/26 The human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic |
April 5, 2017 | Condemning human rights violations in Syria | Yes | Abstain (joining Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Philippines, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/35/3 Human rights and international solidarity |
July 10, 2017 | Attempting to create a new foundational principle of international law called “international solidarity” | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/34/4 Promotion of the right to peace |
July 11, 2017 | Seeking to develop a collective “right to peace,” contrary to idea that human rights are universal and are held and exercised by individuals | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against or abstained |
| A/HRC/Res/35/8 Enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights |
July 14, 2017 | Seeking to limit independence of Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against or abstained |
| A/HRC/Res/35/13 Protection of the family: role of the family in supporting the protection and promotion of human rights of older persons |
July 6, 2017 | Failing to recognize diversity of family types found around the world | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/35/21 The contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights |
July 7, 2017 | Divisive resolution on so-called “right to development” about which there is no international consensus | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/35/26 The human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic |
July 14, 2017 | Condemning human rights violations in Syria | Yes | Abstain (joining Egypt, Nigeria, and Tunisia) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/35/27 Situation of human rights in Belarus |
July 11, 2017 | Condemning human rights violations in Belarus | Yes | Abstain (joining Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Iraq, Nigeria, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/35/31 Cooperation with and assistance to Ukraine in the field of human rights |
July 11, 2017 | Welcoming technical assistance to Ukraine and inviting further reporting by the High Commissioner on the human rights situation in Ukraine | Yes | Abstain (joining Egypt, Ethiopia, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/36/1 Composition of staff of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
Oct. 5, 2017 | Seeking to restrict independence of the High Commissioner in choosing his own staff | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/36/3 The use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination |
Oct. 5, 2017 | Anti-Western resolution seeking to limit ability to engage in operations to maintain international security | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The US and EU voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/36/9 The right to development |
Oct. 6, 2017 | Divisive resolution on so-called “right to development” about which there is no international consensus | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The EU and US voted against or abstained |
| A/HRC/Res/36/10 Human rights and unilateral coercive measures |
Oct. 9, 2017 | Denying right to sanction human rights abusers | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The US and EU voted against |
| A/HRC/Res/36/19 Renewal of the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi |
Oct. 4, 2017 | Condemning human rights violations in Burundi | Yes | No (joining China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The US and EU voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/36/20 The human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic |
Oct. 9, 2017 | Condemning human rights violations in Syria | Yes | Abstain (joining Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tunisia, etc.) | The EU and US voted in favor |
| A/HRC/Res/36/34 Mandate of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order |
Oct. 5, 2017 | Divisive resolution failing to comprehensively deal with the issues and omitting duties and obligations of states with respect to issues addressed | No | Yes (joining China, Cuba, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, etc.) | The US and EU voted against |
