Question NW260 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
04 March 2022 - NW260
Hendricks, Mr MGE to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Given that the International Tribunal Judgement has recently found China guilty of gross human rights, genocide and violent oppression of Kazakh and Turkic Muslim populations and has agreed that all Governments should go along with the International Tribunal Judgement, what are the reasons that the Government has not responded to the International Tribunal Judgement with regard to the gross human rights, genocide and violent oppression of Kazakh and Turkic Muslim populations; (2) Whether, given that the United States of America has legislated a ban on imports of products from the Xinjiang region, the Government will pursue similar action; if not’ why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) Whether, given that this genocide of a Muslim population can be seen to be no different to the holocaust and the annihilation of Palestinian land and its people, the Government will raise its voice to show that the Republic will not stay quiet if there is genocide in any part of the world; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The International Tribunal is not an international tribunal which has been formally established by States or the United Nations or any other international organisation, consequently, its findings have no legal standing. The Government of South Africa is under no obligation to comment on the report.
2. The decision by the United States Government to ban imports from the Xinjiang region imposes no obligation on South Africa to follow a similar course of action and South Africa’s trade relations with the United States have not been impacted in any way as a result of the International Tribunal Judgement. South Africa is not considering a ban on imports of products from the Xinjiang region. South Africa, in its trade relations with China as its largest global trading partner, does not distinguish between regions within mainland China.
3. South Africa participates in multilateral institutions of global governance such as the United Nations Human Rights Council, whose mandates include the promotion, protection and advancement of human rights. In its engagement with these institutions, South Africa always advocates for, and works closely with its partners (e.g. through the passing of resolutions) to ensure that human rights are promoted, protected and realised, not only in the domestic setting, but globally in all regions of the world. As indicated, the International Tribunal is not a formally established platform, this is in contrast to the Palestinian cause, which is recognized by the overwhelming majority of the international community and continues to enjoy the right of participation in the sessions and work of the General Assembly and its associated bodies.