Social Justice: The Heartbeat Of SA’s International Outlook – Speaker Modise

Riyaz Patel

South Africa’s first consideration is always to promote the principle of international social justice, National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise underlined at the first plenary session of the Inter Parliamentary Union’s (IPU’s) 141^st Assembly in Belgrade, Serbia.

Modise told delegates from 179 national parliaments that South Africa’s commitment to world peace and progress remains unwavering, as the country strives to implement international conventions and treaties aimed at achieving a better Africa and a better world. 

“For this reason, it always supports the peoples of occupied territories, such as those living in Palestine and Western Sahara.”

The international forum is discussing parliamentary roles, mechanisms and the contribution of regional cooperation in strengthening international law.

Modise said countries have a collective responsibility to uphold agreed-to standards and values, as spelt out in the United Nations Charter, which establishes “conditions under which justice and respect for obligations arising from the treaties