Civil rights organisation AfriForum has made two submissions about South Africa’s challenges to the United Nations (UN) ahead of the fifty-first regular session of the UN Human Rights Council.

The session will run from September 12 to October 7.

AfriForum campaign officer for strategy and content Reiner Duvenage says the first submission focuses on the problems caused by what the organisation says is government’s failure and the persecution of minorities in South Africa.

As part of a solution, AfriForum suggests a community-based future plan that allows communities to defend themselves against government failure and the abuse of government power.

AfriForum has also compiled a submission for the Consultation Committee of the UN’s division for non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

AfriForum has been registered with the UN’s division of NGOs with special advisory status since 2020.

Both submissions highlighted the importance of NGOs and civil society in building communities and acting as a watchdog against government power abuses.

Furthermore, AfriForum argues in the submission that NGOs should play a more central role in the UN’s policymaking, since organisations like AfriForum have the local expertise to make a real difference at a grassroots level.

Duvenage says AfriForum will continue to be a champion for civil rights and a free, safe and prosperous future on an international stage.