Morocco elected as UN Human Rights Council president ahead of South Africa:
Morocco’s ambassador in Geneva was elected Wednesday to become the president of the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2024 in a rare secret ballot among member states.
Omar Zniber won 30 votes, in a contest with South Africa’s ambassador Mxolisi Nkosi, who received 17 votes.
It was Africa’s turn to take the presidency of the UN’s top rights body but African nations could not agree on a single candidate from among its 13 members of the council — hence the rare secret ballot.
Following his victory, Zniber said the council’s work was “so important and so fundamental: the promotion of, respect toward and guarantee of human rights as universally recognised”, according to a statement from the Geneva-based body.
The foreign ministry in Rabat said Zniber’s successful candidacy came “despite the mobilisation of Algeria and South Africa to counter it”.
The north African kingdom said it “sees a strong signal sent by the international community in favour of its constructive approach, and its unifying leadership on key subjects such as inter-religious dialogue, tolerance and the fight against racial hatred, the right to a healthy and sustainable environment, migrants’ rights and the impact of new technologies”.
Rotating presidency
Moroccan and international NGOs regularly denounce repression in the country targeting journalists, activists and human rights, in particular through the use of trials for common law crimes, particularly sexual offences, or through digital surveillance.
Morocco is notably accused of having used Pegasus spyware to hack the phones of journalists, activists and politicians, both Moroccan and foreign.
The Moroccan authorities have refuted such allegations “unjust and fantasist”.
NGOs also criticise alleged persistent discrimination against women and minorities.
The Human Rights Council was established in 2006 and is tasked with protecting and promoting human rights around the world, and addressing violations.
Its presidency rotates each year between the five regional groupings.
The first vote for president was in 2021 when the Asia-Pacific group, due to take the helm, failed to agree on a single candidate. Fiji won a three-way contest.
The president mainly oversees council meetings, but is also in charge of appointing the independent experts who investigate countries’ alleged rights abuses, and can determine how hard to crack down on cases of state intimidation against those who cooperate with the body.
A career diplomat, Zniber has been Morocco’s permanent representative at the UN in Geneva since 2018. He takes over from Czech ambassador Vaclav Balek.
© Agence France-Presse
Start the new year on a positive note:
It is common to feel depressed upon returning to work, so ease yourself back in gently
Returning to the office after the holidays need not be an exercise in despair. While few of us will be unfamiliar with the feeling of having to get back into work mode after the holidays — a feeling the Urban Dictionary calls “after holiday syndrome” — getting into the right headspace can make a huge difference, a leadership expert says.
“Starting out motivated and on a high, and harnessing the energy from the holidays to take it into the new year will make a huge difference to your mental wellbeing and performance,” says Dr Linda Meyer, MD at The Independent Institute of Education’s Rosebank College.
“And it really can be done by getting in the right headspace and strategising your return. As we all inevitably face this shift, the importance of a smooth reintegration into the workplace cannot be overstated. And there are some concrete ways in which professionals can navigate the post-holiday office landscape gracefully and efficiently,” she says.
Embracing gradual re-entry – Start slow, aim high: The first step in re-adapting is acknowledging the need for a gradual transition. Rather than diving headfirst into a sea of pending tasks, starting at a manageable pace is crucial. This approach allows you to recalibrate your focus and rekindle work momentum without the risk of immediate burnout. Don’t aim to get everything done. Just aim to get one thing done, and then another.
Upon returning, tackling every task at once is tempting. However, setting realistic, achievable goals is more effective. Breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable steps ensures steady progress and provides a sense of accomplishment that fuels further productivity.
Prioritisation and organisation – Navigating the to-do maze: The post-holiday workload can be overwhelming. Effective prioritisation and organisation are key. This involves sorting tasks by urgency and importance and decluttering the physical and digital workspace to create a conducive environment for focused work.
A flooded inbox is a common post-holiday scenario. Tackling this effectively requires a strategy — prioritising emails, setting aside dedicated times for responses, and using organisational tools like folders and flags, which can transform the list of daunting tasks into a manageable one.
Re-establishing routines – The power of consistency: Holidays often disrupt our daily routines. Re-establishing these routines is vital. This means realigning sleep patterns, mealtimes, and exercise regimes to pre-holiday schedules. The comfort of routine can provide a much-needed anchor amid back-to-work demands.
Reconnecting with colleagues – Building bridges: Human connections can significantly ease the transition. Engaging with colleagues, sharing holiday experiences, and updating oneself on significant developments during the absence can rejuvenate the office’s sense of belonging and teamwork.
Planning the year – Have something to look forward to: Getting back to the same-old-same-old can be hugely demoralising. That is why looking at the year ahead is important, as is planning something to work towards. Whether that be your next holiday, training or upskilling opportunity, or a new hobby, resolve to ensure that you bring something fresh and new into your life so that you can have something to look forward to or work towards.
Mindset
“A positive mindset can dramatically influence the ease of readjustment. Accepting that it takes time to regain one’s professional rhythm can help mitigate frustration and help you maintain a constructive outlook,” says Dr Meyer.
“Remember to take regular breaks. They are not a luxury but a necessity, as they provide much-needed mental rest, prevent burnout and support productivity throughout the day.”
It’s also important to remember that seeking support and feedback is not a sign of weakness, but of professionalism. Collaborating with colleagues and supervisors for advice or assistance can provide new perspectives and solutions, making the transition smoother.
“Adapting to the office after a long holiday is an art that involves balancing personal wellbeing with professional responsibilities. By embracing the above strategies, individuals can ease their transition and enhance their overall productivity and job satisfaction, ultimately contributing to a more dynamic and harmonious workplace.”
About Dr Linda Meyer
Dr Linda Meyer is the Managing Director of the Independent Institute of Education’s Rosebank College and has held several Executive roles in the public and private sectors. She is a serving member of the SAQA Board and a former CCMA Commissioner. She holds several qualifications, including a Doctor of Philosophy (RSA), Doctor of Business Administration (USA), Master of Business Administration (UK), Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies (UK), Bachelor of Business Administration, B.Com (Law) and several other diplomas, higher certificates and professional certifications.
Many child support grant recipients left without money for January:
Almost a week after the payment date for the child support grant, many recipients have not yet received their money for January.
Many people nationwide have complained to organisations #PayTheGrants and Black Sash that their grants have been suspended, seemingly for little or no reason. It appears that some old age grant recipients have also been affected.
The child support grant is R510 a month and 65% of children in South Africa receive the grant.
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) denies that there was anything exceptional about January’s payment run. Sassa says that grants are suspended every month for recipients who fail bank verification processes, or who are declared dead by the Department of Home Affairs.
“This is a monthly process that is conducted as part of the pre-payment process and not just specific to the month of January 2024,” Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi told GroundUp.
But Elizabeth Raiters, who heads up the helpdesk at #PayTheGrants, says that Sassa officials confirmed to her earlier on Tuesday that there was a “system error” and that the matter is being resolved. But it is unclear whether recipients will receive their money before the next payment run in February.
Raiters said she had a meeting with over a hundred affected recipients in Eldorado Park on Monday evening. She estimates that thousands have been affected nationwide.
“It is very bad for beneficiaries,” said Raiters. “Children have to go back to school and now the parents can’t buy food or stationery.”
Black Sash Western Cape coordinator Thandi Hanekom also told GroundUp there has been an uptick in reports of erroneous suspensions.
This has also been confirmed by a Sassa official at a branch in Gqeberha, speaking to GroundUp anonymously.
GroundUp visited branch offices in Mitchells Plain (Cape Town) and Kariega (Nelson Mandela Bay), where grant recipients lined up to reapply after their grants were suspended.
According to Raiters, grants have been suspended for “ridiculous reasons” which never presented problems before. For example, she said, some grants were suspended because recipients had two names on their bank statements but three names on their identity documents.
Sassa’s national payment system has experienced several problems over the past two years. In September, thousands of social grant recipients were left without money after a “technical glitch” disrupted payment into the accounts of recipients who use Sassa Gold cards.
This article was first published on Ground Up
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