A/HRC/36/16 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-seventh session from 1 to 12 May 2017. The review of South Africa was held at the 16th meeting, on 10 May 2017. The delegation of South Africa was headed by the Deputy Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development, John Jeffery. At its 18th meeting, held on 12 May 2017, the Working Group adopted the report on South Africa. 2. On 13 February 2017, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of South Africa: Burundi, Germany and Iraq. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of South Africa: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/27/ZAF/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/27/ZAF/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/27/ZAF/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to South Africa through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The Deputy Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development introduced the report of South Africa to the Working Group, highlighting the implementation of recommendations and the development of human rights during the period under review. 6. In its final report on the Millennium Development Goals, South Africa stressed that the country had made considerable progress, in particular in the area of socioeconomic rights. Nonetheless, many challenges persisted, including poverty among vulnerable groups. Moreover, as global economic growth had remained weak, much had to be accomplished within budgetary constraints. The national development plan, which was also known as “Vision 2030” and would guide the country’s development and budgeting for the next 15 years, factored in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The national development plan reflected the commitment of South Africa to improving the lives of the poor and the marginalized. 7. Regarding recommendations received during the previous cycle of the universal periodic review, South Africa had ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 2015 and submitted its initial report under the Covenant in 2017. 8. Additionally, in 2013, the Prevention and Combating of Torture of Persons Act had been enacted, giving effect to the obligations of South Africa under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. With regard to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, before ratification could be considered, an agreement on the structure and the location of the national preventive mechanism had to be reached. Discussions with the South African Human Rights Commission regarding that issue, including on funding, were currently under way. 2