The DA calls on South African delegation to reject immunity for leaders
14 May 2014
The 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.
Justice Ministers and Attorney-Generals of African Union (AU) member countries are scheduled to meet in Ethiopia on the 15th and 16th May 2014 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 contends that granting sitting heads of state and senior government officials immunity from the 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 than to bolster the incentive to hold on to power and undermine the fight for human rights on the continent.