By: Danielle L. Cowan (Gwozdz)
Impunity Watch News Reporter, Africa

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – The Democratic Alliance (DA) strongly urges the South African delegation to reject the draft proposal to grant immunity to sitting government leaders before Africa’s regional court for crimes against humanity.

DA members say granting immunity to sitting government leaders would be “bad news” for human rights.

The African Union (AU) country members’ Justice Ministers and Attorney Generals were scheduled to meet in Ethiopia on May 15th and May 16th to consider a draft proposal to, in part, absolve sitting African leaders form their part in genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

The DA argues that granting “sitting heads” of state and senior government officials immunity from jurisdiction of African courts would be an exercise in shielding these leaders from accountability and, in effect, permit such leaders to perpetuate these human rights abuses.

If passed, this proposal would serve no other purpose other than bolster the incentive to hold on to power and undermine the fight for human rights on the continent.

If they were to vote in favor for this draft proposal, the DA states that this would in fact suggest that South Africa sees its own leaders as “above the law,” which is a dangerous precedent. The DA states that this would not reflect the ethics and rule of law enshrined in South Africa’s constitution.

The DA further states that it is critically important for the South African delegation to reject this proposal in its formative stages and to send a message that South Africa is committed to fighting human rights abuses on its own soil and the continent at large. This is especially important because it follows a slew of scandals and abuses of power by its own government.

For more information, please visit:
PoliticsWeb – SA should vote against AU’s immunity proposal – Sandy Kalyan – 14 May 2014
AllAfrica – South Africa: The DA Calls On South African Delegation to Reject Immunity for Leaders – 15 May 2014
DA.org – The DA calls on South African delegation to reject immunity for leaders – 15 May 2014