Question NW4016 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
11 December 2023 - NW4016
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Why is the Government seeking relief from the International Criminal Court (ICC) by referring the situation in the State of Palestine to the ICC on 17 November 2023, considering that the Government attempted to withdraw from the Rome Statute and also contravened rulings of the ICC in the past (details furnished)?
Reply:
South Africa remains a State Party to the Rome Statute of the ICC, and as such enjoys all the rights of a State Party, including to do a referral of a situation to the ICC in terms of Article 14 of the Rome Statute. On 17 October 2023, South Africa, joined by Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros and Djibouti, referred the situation in Palestine to the ICC, in view of prima facie evidence that crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC had been committed and are continuing to be committed within the context of the conflict in Gaza. By this referral, South Africa, joined by other members of the international community, is illustrating its commitment to fighting impunity.