Parallel Coalition Report and Submission on the List of issues to the 61st session of the Pre-Sessional Working Group of the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights

The Association for Progressive Communications (APC), Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) and the Right2Know Campaign (R2K) welcome the opportunity to submit this parallel coalition report and submission on the List of Issues (LOIs) to the 61st session (9-13 October 2017) of the Pre-Sessional Working Group (PSWG) of the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (CESCR). This parallel report is submitted in response to the Government of South Africa’s Initial Report to the CESCR dated 25 April 2017, and distributed on 7 June 2017.1

This report focuses primarily on access to the internet in South Africa – particularly for disadvantaged and marginalised persons and groups, including those living in rural and remote areas – and the extent to which the Government of South Africa is ensuring that people are able to benefit from the potential of the internet as an enabler of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCRs). Accordingly, this submission includes questions to be considered in compiling the LOIs in relation to articles 3, 6, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the ICESCR.

Contents

I. Introduction.................................................................... 4

II. General information relating to the potential of the internet as an enabler of ESCRs.................................................................... 4

Seven key considerations on how the internet can enable ESCRs.................................................................... 5

South Africa’s Broadband Policies.................................................................... 6

South Africa Connect.................................................................... 7

ICT Policy White Paper.................................................................... 8

National e-Government Strategy and Roadmap.................................................................... 8

III. Information relating to the internet and relevant ESCRs.................................................................... 9

Article 3: Equal enjoyment.................................................................... 9

Specific questions to be addressed in the LOIs.................................................................... 9

Article 6: The right to work.................................................................... 10  

Specific questions to be addressed in the LOIs.................................................................... 10

Article 12, 13 and 14: The right to healthcare and education.................................................................... 10

Specific questions to be addressed in the LOIs.................................................................... 11

Article 15: The right to take part in cultural life and to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress.................................................................... 11

Specific questions to be addressed in the LOIs.................................................................... 12

IV. Conclusion.................................................................... 12

1The coalition acknowledges the invaluable work of the Applied Law & Technology (Pty) Ltd in compiling the submission.