governance
governance
AU Has Neglected Human Rights
The 50th-anniversary celebration of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and its successor, the African Union (AU), at the biannual heads-of-state summit this week is an important milestone. But, while they are celebrating, Africa's leaders should also do some serious reflection on why they haven't made sufficient progress on human rights.
The AU should use this gathering to call on its members to revisit their regional and international human rights obligations and adopt the mechanisms and reforms that those obligations require. That would give people across the continent a special reason to celebrate the anniversary.
Millions of Africans see few opportunities for democracy and cannot freely exercise their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. New or ongoing crises in Mali, Central African Republic, Sudan and South Sudan; ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); as well as longstanding repression in countries such as Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe undermine progress towards respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Ten years ago, Africa's leaders made significant commitments to transparent and accountable governance and respect for human rights when they replaced the OAU with the AU and adopted the New Partnership for Africa's Development, a comprehensive economic and political reform programme. These new continental institutions and policy frameworks brought hope to the continent's citizens for human rights, democratic principles and good governance.
For the OAU, state sovereignty was paramount, with democracy and human rights on the backburner. The AU envisaged a more integrated approach that gave primacy to achieving peace and stability through democratic principles, good governance and human rights. Since then, the AU has often declared its support for human rights and democracy. At the 2011 heads-of-state summit, the AU declared ‘respect for human rights’, ‘democratic governance’ and ‘accountability’ among the values shared across Africa. Unfortunately, such rhetoric has not translated into greater respect for human rights.
To its credit, the OAU-AU developed a wide body of legally binding instruments and has a strong human rights foundation in the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. It has also shown strong support for good governance initiatives and democratic principles. But the extent to which these regional instruments have translated into concrete actions and far-reaching change is questionable. In the past year, we have seen flawed elections in Angola, unwarranted crackdowns on peaceful demonstrators in Angola, Zimbabwe and Sudan, and impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the DRC and Sudan.
Displacement
Many African countries have growing and vibrant civil society organisations, but the hostile environment often faced by such groups shows up leaders' ambivalence about human rights. Civil society groups often have to work in highly limiting political spaces and face serious security risks. Monitoring of and reporting on human rights have been significantly constricted or entirely prevented in several countries, among them Angola, the DRC, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and Rwanda.
When it comes to peace and security, Africa has seen both improvements and challenges. Fighting between Sudanese government forces and rebel movements in Darfur, as well as in the South Kordofan and Blue Nile provinces over the past two years, has led to widespread abuses and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.
In Somalia, the transitional authority has given way to a new government, but the human rights situation remains poor. State security forces have been implicated in serious violations.
Elsewhere on the continent there has been backsliding on some of the positive trends of previous years. Northern Mali erupted in conflict and the Rwandan-backed rebel group, M23, has wreaked havoc in the eastern Congo.
The upcoming deployment of the Intervention Brigade – an African-led force within the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo, MONUSCO highlights the threat to peace and security and the need to end impunity in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Impunity with regard to serious violations of international law has also brought into question African leaders' commitment to human rights. The AU has shown laudable commitment to justice in cases of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Yet the message has sometimes been mixed: some contend that the pursuit of justice would interfere with efforts to restore peace and security. The temptation to sacrifice accountability for peace is understandable but a culture of impunity has a high cost.
The AU has the potential to be a strong proponent of human rights. Its leaders need to find ways to build on the positive aspects of human-rights institutions and developments to cement a deeper human-rights culture. The anniversary should be more than an affirmation of how far the OAU-AU has come; it should also be a vision of how far the AU wants to go to achieve respect for universal human rights in Africa.
- Tiseke Kasambala is the Africa advocacy director at Human Rights Watch in Johannesburg. This article first appeared in the Mail & Guardian. It is republished here with the permission of the author.
Author(s):Tiseke KasambalaGovernment’s ‘Name Dropping’ Proposal Trivialises a Major Administrative Breakdown
Justice Minister, Jeff Radebe’s proposal that a public service campaign be introduced to discourage a ‘negative culture of name dropping’ overlooks the real issues. Corruption Watch is responding to the findings of the inquiry into the Gupta wedding plane landing at Air Force Base Waterkloof on 30 April 2013.
David Lewis, Corruption Watch’s executive director, says Radebe’s findings admit to an extraordinary litany of fraudulent misrepresentation on the part of people acting on behalf of the Gupta family and employed in senior positions in the public service, the defence force and the police. These fraudulent misrepresentations potentially entail criminal liability and these should be investigated and, if criminality is found, they should be charged.
But how could this happen? How is it possible to ‘misrepresent’ if one speaks in the name of the President or a member of the cabinet without evidence of this, without evidence of formal authority? This incident speaks to a serious breakdown in administration at the highest level. How can the public be expected to accept that if a violation of security of this dimension could have been secured by misrepresentation, that the same does not occur in the issuing of licences or tenders or in the range of administrative decisions that are taken on a daily basis by public officials in their engagement with well-resourced private parties and firms. This is the level of mistrust that acts of corruption of this scale generates.
It would seem that mere mention of the Gupta family in the same breath as the names of senior members of the executive was sufficient to procure the most extraordinary privilege and to result in the most flagrant breaches of law and security considerations. We have to ask how it is that the Gupta name resonates so loud. Is it not because of their highly publicised relationship with the family of the President? It is not because their name does not already and on a regular basis open the door to extraordinary privilege? Are there other business people whose name secures similarly privileged access to public resources?
To refer to what has happened here as ‘name dropping’ is to trivialise a major administrative breakdown, and the doings of a family who clearly are capable of commanding extraordinary privilege based on their relationships with senior public figures, clearly including the President. That fact is clearly sufficiently well-known to enable or oblige senior public servants to act in flagrant contradiction of the law. This is the root of problem: starkly inappropriate relationships between senior people in public life and elements of the business community. This problem will not be resolved by the frankly silly proposal to make ‘name-dropping’ a disciplinary offence.
- David Lewis is executive director at Corruption Watch.Author(s):David LewisPact South Africa: M&E, Reporting and Learning Officer
Pact South AfricaPlease note: this opportunity closing date has passed and may not be available any more.Opportunity closing date:Wednesday, January 30, 2013Pact enables systemic solutions that allow those who are poor and marginalized to earn a dignified living, be healthy, and take part in the benefits that nature provides. Pact accomplishes this by strengthening local capacity, forging effective governance systems, and transforming markets into a force for development.Opportunity type:Employment
Pact South Africa seeks to appoint a Monitoring and Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MERL ) Officer, based in Pretoria.
The MERL Officer is expected to implement monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems to ensure Pact and its implementing partners and grantees provide compatible data supportive of programme and donor reporting requirements. The MERL Officer will work closely with the senior MERL advisor and the MERL Director in implementing methodologies and standards (in line with donor requirements) for monitoring and evaluating programme activities.
Key responsibilities include providing support to Pact grantees under the direction of the MERL Director as well as undertaking various data management tasks for Pact SA. In addition, s/he will also develop presentations and written reports based on programme results. Other tasks include participation in training programmes as well as routine programme monitoring for Pact partners.
Specific duties and responsibilities:- The MERL Officer will work under the direction and supervision of the MERL director and mentorship by the MERL advisor to undertake the following tasks
- Participate in Implementation of Pact’s MERL capacity building strategy for grantees including conducting MERL capacity assessments and developing MERL systems strengthening plans for each grantee;
- Participate in the management of partner evaluations including updating and managing the MS project data as well as other data sets. The MERL officer’s job includes keeping track of progress of all contracts managed by the MERL department and filing all related communication and documentation;
- Provide input into and assure that all USG reporting requirements are met and assist implementing partners/grantees in setting up reporting and tracking systems to provide such information in an efficient and timely manner;
- Participate in implementation of Pact MERL training series for grantees including supporting the preparation for the various training events;
- Implementation of Pacts data quality /risk management plan for the programme including data quality assessments/audits for grantees as needed;
- Undertake routine collation, analysis and reporting of data from Pact grantees and contribute to development of Pact reports to key stakeholders;
- Support grantees in developing reporting and communication tools. Using MERL data draft materials for use in communications relating to sector programmes, including speeches, press releases, briefing papers, etc;
- Keep appraised of country wide monitoring and evaluation data relating to trends in the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the region through surveillance of other key data sources available;
- Maintain close communication with Pact MERL Director and participate actively in Pact’s MERL community of practice which is a forum for learning and sharing by Pact MERL professionals.
- Degree in social, behavioral or health sciences with practical experience in developing and implementing, monitoring and evaluation activities in the HIV/AIDS health sector;
- Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience: evaluation and research design, data collection and analyses, indicator construction, curriculum development and computer software, i.e. MS Word and database programmes;
- Ability to work independently, take initiative and manage a variety of activities concurrently;
- A strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a high profile, fast-paced environment;
- Ability to communicate technical issues effectively and persuasively;
- Fluency in English for day-to-day communications and excellent English writing and presentation skills;
- Demonstrated skills in working with multinational groups and fostering collaborative relationships across multiple organisations;
- Ability to work under pressure of work and yet deliver effectively.
To apply, submit a CV, list current salary, salary expectation and motivation letter to ZBlack@pactworld.org before 30 January 2013 at 11h00 am.
Please quote the source of this advertisement in your application - NGO Pulse Portal.
Only successful candidates will be contacted.
For more about Pact South Africa, refer to www.pactworld.org/cs/africa/south_africa.
For other vacancies in the NGO sector, refer to www.ngopulse.org/vacancies.
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South African Human Rights Commission: Consultant
South African Human Rights CommissionPlease note: this opportunity closing date has passed and may not be available any more.Opportunity closing date:Monday, December 31, 2012The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy. It is committed to promote respect for observance of and protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.Opportunity type:Employment
The SAHRC seeks the service of a Consultant to conduct a study on the legal standing, independence and capacity of Southern Africa national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to discharge their mandate in accordance with the Paris Principles.
The consultancy will also focus on the strengths and weaknesses of each NHRI in the region in the prevention of torture.
Project:
A region free of torture: “Enhancing the leading role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in the prevention of torture and ill‐treatment in Southern Africa”.
Background
National Human Rights Institutions (National Human Rights Commissions, Public Protectors or Ombudsmen, hereinafter referred as NHRIs), if established and functioning properly, can be a valuable asset in curbing, preventing and addressing human rights violations in the region, including recommending changes to policies, practices and attitudes. Through this project, the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) intends to formally engage
NHRIs in the region and the establishment of NHRIs where they do not exist in conformity with the Paris Principles by facilitating the coordination, strengthening and effectiveness of NHRIs in Africa and by encouraging cooperation among NHRIs with intergovernmental institutions.
This project is also in line with the Open Society Initiative of South Africa (OSISA) strategy to promote and protect human rights, and also bridge the existing gap between NHRIs and civil society organisations (CSOs) particularly considering that CSOs could be used as NHRIs’ ears and eyes, thus complementing each other activities for the benefit of citizens. Because Law enforcement agents are the primary and usual suspects when it comes to human rights violations, either by action or omission, the project also couples this initiative with a tangible activity which resonates with every country in the region, namely the prevention and combating of the scourge of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (hereinafter referred as “torture”) as a bait to bring both the NHRIs and CSOs
together for a capacity building activity, policy discussion and formulation of partnerships.
It is with this background that NANHRI in partnership with OSISA intends to engage the services of a consultant to conduct a study on the legal standing, independence and capacity of Southern Africa NHRIs to discharge their mandate in accordance with the Paris Principles. The study will also include a particular focus on strengths and weaknesses of each NHRI in Southern Africa related to the prevention of torture, as a prelude to the project.
Objectives and scope of assignment
The objective of the study is to assist NANHRI Secretariat to develop an action plan for providing a regional platform to initiate an holistic engagement with NHRIs in the Southern Africa sub‐region, to interrogate their role in the promotion and protection of human rights, ascertain about their capacity, but also the level of impartiality, independence and effectiveness to deliver, as well as on the prospect of partnerships with relevant stakeholders such as, CSOs, in discharging their mandate. In particular this should include:
- Carrying out a baseline study of current level of involvement and capacity of Southern Africa NHRIs to ascertain about the legal standing vis a vis the Paris Principles, their strengths, weaknesses and the capacity of NHRIs to effectively discharge their mandate;
- Analyse Southern Africa NHRIs legal standing, independence and capacity to discharge their mandate in as far as promotion and protection of human rights is concerned with specific focus to their engagement in torture prevention;
- Identifying gaps on powers and current work of Southern Africa NHRIs in relation to the prevention of torture.
Outputs and deliverables
The Report submitted will be a comprehensive substantive document, in English, not exceeding 30 pages (excluding possible annexes) containing, inter alia, an executive summary, conclusions and recommendations.
The document shall include:- An analysis of the current level of involvement and capacity of Southern Africa NHRIs to ascertain about the legal standing vis a vis the Paris Principles, their strengths, weaknesses and the capacity of NHRIs to effectively discharge their mandate;
- An overview of current engagement of NHRIs in Southern Africa in the prevention of torture and ill‐treatment at their national levels;
- A summary of the assessment of strengths and weaknesses of each NHRI in Southern Africa in relation to the above;
- An analysis of the current gaps in the capacity of the Southern Africa NHRIs in relation to the above;
- A summary review of other existing relevant international and regional capacity development programmes;
- Suggestions on strategies to strengthen the capacity of NHRIs in Southern Africa in relation with the above;
- A set of proposed clearly defined roles that NHRIs in Southern Africa can play in the prevention of torture and ill‐treatment in Southern Africa;
- Based on above, a detailed proposed 1 year action plan for providing a regional platform to initiate an holistic engagement with Southern Africa NHRIs, to interrogate their role in the promotion and protection of human rights, ascertain about their capacity, but also the level of impartiality, independence and effectiveness to deliver, as well as on the prospect of partnerships with relevant stakeholders such as, CSOs, in discharging their mandate.
The study should be carried out during the period of 7 January – 28 February 2013. The assignment will include the following:- Desk research and review of relevant documentation, including the documentation by the NHRIs in Southern Africa and the feedbacks on the APT‐NANHRI questionnaire on “powers and practice of NAHRI in the prevention of torture”;
- Telephone interviews with Southern Africa NHRIs and other selected organisations institutions, other beneficiaries and donors, as deemed relevant;
- Submission to NANHRI of a draft report for comments by 10th February 2013;
- Submission of the final report to NANHRI within 6 days after the consultant has received comments from NANHRI;
- Receive and analyse feedback from the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) on questionnaires sent to Southern Africa NHRIs on powers and current work of NHRIs in relation to the prevention of torture.
- Advanced University degree in human rights, law, political science or related field;
- Expert knowledge of mandates, powers and functions of NHRIs;
- Extensive experience of working with NHRIs in Africa (experience working with NHRIs in Southern Africa would be an advantage);
- Expertise in the work of NHRIs related to prevention of torture and ill‐treatment;
- Experience of implementing prevention of torture projects in the field would be an asset;
- Good understanding of African Union coordination systems and governance structures;
- Experience of programme development for NHRIs and of conducting studies;
- evaluations etc, related to NHRIs Comprehensive knowledge of the African Human Rights system;
- Excellent written and spoken English;
- Knowledge of French and or Portuguese will be an added asset.
Please quote the source of this advertisement in your application - NGO Pulse Portal.
For more about the South African Human Rights Commission, refer to www.sahrc.org.za.
For other vacancies in the NGO sector, refer to www.ngopulse.org/vacancies.------------------------------
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Want to reach the widest spectrum of NGO and development stakeholders in South Africa as part of your communication and outreach objectives? Learn more about how the NGO Pulse Premium Advertising Service can support your communication requirements. Visit http://goo.gl/MUCvL for more information.SALGA & LGICT: Internship
South African Local Government Association (SALGA)Please note: this opportunity closing date has passed and may not be available any more.Opportunity closing date:Friday, October 12, 2012The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) is the single national representative body for local government. SALGA has been repositioned as a knowledge centre and point of first call for assistance and guidance by its members. A new five-year strategy has been developed for the organisation to drive a credible and dynamic agenda for the municipalities. This strategy therefore calls for a differentiated approach to servicing the needs of its members enabling SALGA to remain a relevant and a credible association.Opportunity type:Employment
It is in this context that SALGA is looking for exceptional, talented individuals to join it in this trajectory of a repositioned organisation and place it at the epicentre of leading the transformation agenda of local government in a proactive and leading way.
SALGA seeks to recruit an Intern, based in Pretoria.
Job Ref: 120926
The Intern will focus on the Municipal ICT & e-Government agenda and to work through the Local Government ICT Network knowledge platform (www.lgictorg.za) and all its stakeholders/members who have an interest and passion to use range technologies, systems and innovation to drive improved administration and service delivery.
The person will report the Specialist: Economic Development and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
This is a six-month Internship.
Responsibilities:- Design, research and analyse an e-Readiness Local Government study;
- Prepare brief good practice/solution overviews on municipal ICT practices (including e-Government, Websites as well as other topic areas);
- Design, manage and implement LGICT online (www.lgict.org.za) marketing programme;
- Sourcing and uploading of municipal ICT related content like policy and research documents, case studies, articles, news items, events, jobs and tender information to the LGICT website;
- Identifying of other relevant content for the LGICT website, preparing short summaries, categorising and uploading to the website;
- Create and send out online newsletters;
- Engage with relevant ICT partners, members and stakeholders in order to keep the LGICT network involved and abreast of developments;
- Explore new and innovative tools that will drive usage and value-add to LGICT users;
- Day to day management and response to member questions and queries.
- Minimum of three years university or technical degree in business, information management, Internet Web application programming, online marketing and communication or another related field;
- Experience in working in the online environment (website administration, content management, usability testing, graphic design etc);
- Knowledge and competence in online marketing and communication principles and practices;
- Experience of drafting reports and presentations;
- Experience with online content management systems (e.g. Drupal) of advantage;
- Good skills in Microsoft Office;
- Knowledge of e-marketing platforms, tools and methodologies (search engine optimization (SEO), keyword research and web content creation);
- Excellent written and spoken English, enthusiasm in writing;
- Good interpersonal, communication, team and networking skills;
- Must be able to use own initiative to engage with various stakeholders/role players;
- Enthusiastic, open minded and creative;
- Attention to detail and an eye for layout and editing of documents;
- Passion for technology, desire to learn and will to try and make valuable contribution.
- Valid driver’s licence.
Salary: R73 074.21 – R99 230.88 per annum (Initial six-month contract).
To apply, submit a CV, certified copies of qualifications, ID and driver’s licence and motivation to Douglas Cohen at dcohen@salga.org.za.
Please quote the source of this advertisement in your application - NGO Pulse Portal.
For more about the South African Local Government Association, refer to www.salga.org.za.For other vacancies in the NGO sector, refer to www.ngopulse.org/vacancies.
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IGD Explains the Significance of OAU
The Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD) says that the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was born to be a mechanism through which the visions, goals and ideals of Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance were to be delivered in a new Africa.
IGD director, Dr Siphamandla Zondi, points out that one of the roles that OAU played was to create a statehood that is a bit viable.
He adds: “Self-reliance was one of the key things that Africans had to realise. They had to rely on themselves for their own development. They also had to rely on each other to fight against colonialism.”
To read the article titled, “Expert unpacks significance of OAU,” click here.Source:SABC NewsTransport Minister Defends e-Tolls
Transport Minister, Ben Martins, says e-tolling is needed to pay for and maintain infrastructure critical to South Africa's future economic growth.
Addressing the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Martins pointed out that, “The South African economy requires infrastructure to develop and grow, create jobs and to fight the scourge of unemployment and inequality."
He was speaking during the debate on the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill, which is necessary before e-tolling can take place in Gauteng or anywhere else.
To read the article titled, “E-tolls needed for infrastructure,” click here.Source:The CitizenCOSATU Impatient With Govt Over e-Tolls
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) says it is getting impatient with authorities and will continue to wage war against e-tolls.
Speaking to a group of protestors who included - the Treatment Action Campaign, Bikers Against E-tolls, and the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference - COSATU Gauteng secretary, Dumisani Dakile, pointed out that, what the government is doing is trying to provoke COSATU, adding that, “If they want another Marikana we will give it to them on a silver platter.”
On 23 May 2013, the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court dismissed COSATU’s application for a go-slow protest on Johannesburg's highways.
To read the article titled, “COSATU threatens ‘another Marikana’,” click here.Source:Independent OnlineGovts Failing on Resource Governance
According to an article titled ‘Govt failing on resource governance’ by Richard Lee, it will come as no surprise that southern African countries do not fare too well in the latest assessment of natural resource governance by the Revenue Watch Institute.
Lee argues that while Zambia and South Africa score above average, the other five countries from the region all languish in the bottom half of the index of 58 mineral-rich nations.
The Resource Governance Index 2013 scores and ranks countries based on the quality of four key governance components - institutional and legal setting; reporting practices; safeguards and quality controls; and enabling environment.
To read the article titled, “Govt failing on resource governance,” click here.Source:All AfricaAfrican Countries Vulnerable to Conflict
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has heard that the fragility of many African countries make them vulnerable to conflicts and instability that in turn become a breeding ground for terrorist activities.
According to the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s Sherwin Bryce-Peace, the UN’s top security organ is considering the challenges in the fights against terrorism across the continent.
Bryce-Peace states that the UN secretary-general, Ban Ki Moon, believes that the rule of law, development and political transformations are three pillars that are prerequisites to stifling the scourge of instability and conflicts in Africa.
To read the article titled, “UN warns of terrorist activities in Africa,” click here.Source:SABC News
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