Dear Partners,

Every day in the media, there are reports on poverty, communities striking for lack of service delivery and needs that are not met. The struggle for rights has become a daily phenomenon. Where adults and youth struggle for employment, where children battle to access education, where family life has become a struggle for survival.  Where rights to access to health, social security housing, water and sanitation has become a barrier to an adequate standard of living.

It is time for civil Society Organizations to Come to Stand in Solidarity with the People of South Africa and Their Right to Freedom from Poverty.
    
South Africa is one of only a handful of countries around the world that have not ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).  This treaty aims to enhance local and global social justice. It is important for enforcing the rights of those living in poverty, which has particular relevance to the vast majority of communities in South Africa, who do not have access to some of the most basic human rights.

Amnesty International South Africa, CIVICUS (Every Human Has Rights) FEDUSA,TAC, Section 27, Sonke gender justice and others are calling on various organizations and communities to join us in campaign  to STAND UP for the right to work, access to quality education for all, access to water and sanitation, the right to healthcare and/or other economic and social rights. Standing Together, we call for a South Africa where economic, social and cultural rights are recognized, dignity for all communities is respected and that all sectors of society enjoy adequate standards of living.  It is time to add your voice to this call to action. Your organisation, the communities you serve and your partner’s voices must be heard.

Let us work together towards the ratification of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is an international instrument that commits states that have ratified it to work towards granting economic, social and cultural rights to individuals, including labour rights and the right to education,  health, social security, special measures to support families

How can your organisation/ network participate?

WHAT: 

• Participate in mobilising your membership, partners and communities to sign the petition to push for  ratification of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and it’s Optional Protocol   
• Participate in the photo signature with the article of the covenant that is relevant to your work             
  

WHO:

• Amnesty International South Africa, CIVCUS, Global Coalition Against Poverty South Africa, FEDUSA, TAC, Section 27  and other civil society organizations
  

WHERE:

• Communities in your area of operation, your members, online
  

WHEN:

15 August to 5 September 2011
 
A petition will be circulated on the 15 of August 2011. Please indicate your willingness to participate in the campaign by making a request for the petition during this time.

To learn more about Amnesty International's Making Our Rights Law Campaign, please visit: www.demanddignity.org/en-gb/campaign/makingrightslaw
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide.  The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

Please visit www.amnesty.org.za about the work of amnesty

Should you have any questions please contact person:  Jacqueline   Amnesty South Africa: 011 3395505, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please join in our efforts to make our rights law.      

Together our voices have so much power

Human rights=less poverty

Click here to sign petition