Friday, October 21, 2016

South Africa Opposition Defends Biased Netherlands-based International Criminal Court
South African foreign minister Tshabalala-Mashabane.
TVC NEWS

Opposition parties in South Africa are taking the government to court over the decision to leave the International Criminal Court.

The country announced on Friday it was quitting the court because it conflicted with diplomatic immunity laws.

But the opposition says the decision to leave was irrational and procedurally flawed as it was not put to vote in Parliament.

TVC’s Vauldi Carelse reports that Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir wanted for genocide and other atrocities committed in Darfur and now the trigger for South Africa pulling out of the ICC.

Under obligation, the country was supposed to arrest him last year but failed to do so, despite a court order.

South Africa says it’s already given notice to the United Nations and cabinet also informed parliament of its decision.

The country was one of the court’s strongest supporters when it was established 14 years ago. But it’s now become the second African country to announce membership withdrawal from the Rome Statute.

The South African Litigation Centre – who took government to court over Al-Bashir – says this a huge blow for international justice.

Several African countries and the African Union accused the court of bias in its 14 year history there’ve only been five substantive verdicts and all of them against African suspects.

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