South Africa has called for the establishment of an international panel on inequality to advance democracy, human rights, and equality worldwide.

In a statement sent to Peoples Gazette on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in preparation for Freedom Day on 27 April, the country reflected on the collective journey of its people to deepen democracy and advance human rights for all. 

Mr Ramaphosa stated that the United Nations Security Council is powerless, adding that the laws, rules, and institutions that support democracy must ensure that people’s lives are improved, and that all people have an equal opportunity to contribute to decisions that affect them. 

He noted that 30 years after South Africa adopted its new constitution, the country remains grounded in a culture of human rights, the rule of law and the expression of people’s will through regular elections. 

 Mr Ramaphosa said South Africa has built and continues to build a distinct society; hence, it has a responsibility, as an active member of the international community, to advance its constitutional values beyond its borders. 

He said, “This is why I was proud to represent democratic South Africa at the 4th meeting of the ‘In Defence of Democracy’ initiative in Barcelona, Spain, this past weekend.

“The initiative was launched by Brazil and Spain in 2024 to confront the threat posed to democratic institutions by extremism, polarisation, disinformation and other forms of intolerance. This initiative, which brings together countries from across the world, has become especially critical at this time.” 

 He noted that in many places, democracy is under threat, and the resurgence of narrow nationalism, prejudice and intolerance is challenging the principles of solidarity, cooperation and friendship. 

The South African president said conflicts and wars rage across the globe, with some of the conflicts linked to battles over resources, while others have their origins in colonial-era divisions shaped by violent conquest. 

“At the gathering in Barcelona, I said that we cannot allow ourselves to be bullied into silence when the dignity and human rights of others are being trampled on,” he said.

Mr Ramaphosa said the UN Security Council is powerless to intervene in conflicts and prevent genocide. 

He noted that South Africa has called on the United Nations to reassert itself in global affairs, adding that, for democratic values to thrive, all institutions of global governance need to be reformed so that all countries and peoples of the world are represented. 

“It has become clear that bodies like the UN Security Council are powerless to intervene in conflicts and prevent genocide,” he said.

He noted that the gulf of inequality within and among nations is a serious challenge to democracy, adding that the laws, rules, and institutions that support democracy must ensure that people’s lives are improved and that all people have an equal opportunity to contribute to decisions that affect them.  

“That is why we called on leaders to support the establishment of an International Panel on Inequality, which will evaluate alternative policies for addressing inequality to inform governments, policy makers and the international community,” Mr Ramaphosa said, adding that “The establishment of the panel was one of the recommendations of the groundbreaking global inequality report produced by a committee of independent experts that South Africa commissioned during its G20 Presidency.”

He noted that the ‘In Defence of Democracy’ initiative is aligned with South Africa’s foreign policy and the country is committed to supporting its work. 

 He added that the erosion of democracy in other parts of the world affects South Africa, and that the country’s economy and society feel the effects of conflicts beyond borders, intensified geopolitical tensions, and the weaponisation of trade, foreign direct investment, and aid. 

Mr Ramaphosa said, “The erosion of democracy has contributed to mistrust of the very values of equality, human rights and freedoms that characterise progressive societies. This mistrust is evident even in our own country.

“As we mark Freedom Day next week, let us recommit ourselves to defend and strengthen our democracy.”

He urged South Africans to continue working together to overcome the challenges of poverty, inequality and underdevelopment, which undermine democratic gains. He charged them not to follow the path of societies that have lost faith in democracy and are increasingly anchored in the rule of the strong and the erosion of human rights.

 “Our experience with building a united nation from a deeply fractured past means that we must cherish our democracy and be part of the struggle to defend democratic values across the globe. 

“The defence of democracy is gathering momentum. It is gaining more and more support as leaders, governments, social movements and citizens realise what is at stake – and, like us, demonstrate that they are prepared to do something about it,” Mr Ramaphosa added.