The South African Mission to the United Nations is pleased to announce that Ms Patricia January-Bardill was elected to the expert body on the elimination of racial discrimination, at the 18th Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, held in New York today.
Ms January-Bardill is the first South African expert to serve on the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) which consists of 18 experts of high moral standing. She received support from 131 Parties to the Convention, out of a total of 148 which voted, the highest number of votes attained.
The CERD is responsible for monitoring the implementation, by various countries, of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. This Committee is also empowered to investigate and make recommendations on violations of racial discrimination wherever they may occur.
South Africa ratified this Convention on 10 December 1998.
Mr Dumisani Kumalo, South Africa's Ambassador to the UN said "for us representing a country that was the victim of the most cruel form of racism, known as apartheid, this victory can only add to our process of racial reconciliation".
Ms January-Bardill was elected for a four year term of office starting on 20 January 2000.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Pretoria
20 JANUARY 2000