Question NW2426 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
20 June 2023 - NW2426
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether, given that her department issued a statement on 29 May 2023, that a notice was issued in the Government Gazette on Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges for the Meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations in Cape Town on 1 June 2023 and the 15th BRICS Summit to be held in Johannesburg in August, and noting that the specified statement indicated that these immunities do not override any warrant that may have been issued by any international tribunal against any attendee of the conference, the Republic will take action in relation to the arrest warrant of the International Criminal Court issued against the Russian President, Mr Vladimir Putin; if not, why not; if so, what are the full, relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
The gazetting of a notice pursuant to the Diplomatic Immunity and Privileges Act, No. 37 of 2001 is a standard practice for international summits held in South Africa. The immunities are for the conference and not for specific individuals. This is a standard conferment of immunities that is done for all international conferences and summits held in South Africa irrespective of the level of participation. The immunities are meant to protect the conference and its attendees from the jurisdiction of the host country for the duration of the conference. The Government of the Republic of South Africa is a party to the Rome Statute and is aware of its obligations under the Rome Statute. The subject of President Putin and the warrant issued by the International Criminal Court are a matter under consideration by Government as reported many times in the public domain and in response to questions in Parliament.