The intention of government to withdraw from the Rome Statute creating the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been condemned across the board, not only as a disaster for the victims of human rights violations across the globe, but also because it is procedurally illegal. The ICC was created to prosecute war crimes and genocide and SA played an important role in that creation. The intention to withdraw from the court undermines SA’s reputation as a defender of human rights. Since the first democratic government of Nelson Mandela, human rights have been cited as a fundamental plank of SA’s foreign policy. The letter to the UN from International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane announcing SA’s intention to leave the court follows that of Burundi. Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza is serving a third term that is patently illegal. There has been a reign of terror in his country that has reportedly seen the deaths of a thousand people that the ICC was poised to investigat...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.