The effectiveness of South Africa's engagement with the universal periodic review (UPR): potential for ritualism?

Citation

Etone D (2017) The effectiveness of South Africa's engagement with the universal periodic review (UPR): potential for ritualism?. South African Journal on Human Rights, 33 (2), pp. 258-285. https://doi.org/10.1080/02587203.2017.1362163

Abstract
This article examines the effectiveness of South Africa’s engagement with the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review Mechanism (UPR). After two cycles of the UPR, questions on the ability of the UPR mechanism to improve the human rights situation on the ground is gaining increasing attention. This article underscores the value of cooperation and dialogue in monitoring human rights implementation. It analyses the extent of South Africa’s engagement with the UPR mechanism and considers the potential impact of human rights ritualism in the UPR engagement of South Africa.

Keywords
UN Human Rights Council; Universal Periodic Review; human rights implementation; rights ritualism; South Africa

Journal
South African Journal on Human Rights: Volume 33, Issue 2

People

Dr Damian Etone

Senior Lecturer, Law