Prof. Joanna Botha (LDRN steering committee) contributes to UN expert seminar on the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

On 20 – 21 October 2020, Prof. Joanna Botha (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa), a current member of the LDRN steering committee, contributed to an international expert seminar on the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), on the invitation of the Chairperson–Rapporteur of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards for the ICERD.

The purpose of the seminar was to consider elements of a draft additional protocol to the Convention and to prepare recommendations for new normative standards to combat all forms of contemporary racism, including incitement to racial and religious hatred. Experts’ critical insights were solicited in view of preparing the Ad Hoc Committee’s report to the UN Human Rights Council on its 11th session.

Prof. Botha’s contributions were based on her research on the regulation of hate crimes and hate speech and the prohibition of unfair discrimination in the South African context. This research addresses the complex intersection of freedom of expression, equality and dignity – not only for the individual, but also for vulnerable groups.