Press Release: The Implementation of the Rome Statute Repeal Bill withdrawn from Parliament.

On 14 March 2017, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Minister Masutha, withdrew the Implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Act Repeal Bill (‘the Bill’) from Parliament.

The Helen Suzman Foundation (‘HSF’), on 1 March, requested the Minister to withdraw the Bill as it could be subjected to a constitutional challenge since it was introduced in Parliament to give effect to an unconstitutional act of the Cabinet.

The HSF is pleased to see that our concerns have been recognised and the HSF welcomes the decision of the Minister to withdraw the Bill. The HSF believes that South Africa should not withdraw from the International Criminal Court (‘ICC’) as it would be a retrogressive step in the realisation and protection of human rights. The HSF encourages the Government to give serious consideration and thought to whether it should continue to pursue withdrawal from the ICC.

For the press release of 9 March 2017 click here.

Enquiries:

Francis Antonie
francis@hsf.org.za
083 408 7943

Chelsea Ramsden
chelsea@hsf.org.za
011 482 2872