An SA-African exodus would irreparably damage the ICC
- Zane Dangor and Bonita Meyersfeld
Why should South Africa remain within the International Criminal Court?
These are the legal and political reasons why South Africa should remain within the International Criminal Court to stem global impunity and to alter power relations with respect to peace and security issues within the United Nations.
The President of South Africa has recently made statements that South Africa may be reconsidering its participation as a state party to the Rome Statute that established the International Criminal Court (ICC).
This emerged out of general discontent with the ICC among African states who are of the opinion that the court is disproportionately pursuing prosecutions of African heads of state. South Africa has also been challenged for not complying with the terms of an arrest warrant by the ICC for Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir.
This article will argue that while there is justification for the concerns expressed by African heads of state, the ICC offers Africa and developing countries an effective treaty-based regime to deal with the impunity for international crimes, including by leaders of Israel, the United States and the United Kingdom. Continue reading.
This op-ed first appeard on the Daily Maverick. Zane Dangor is Special Adviser to the Minister of Social Development. He is an LLM candidate in international law and is writing in his personal capacity. Bonita Meyersfeld is Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Centre for Applied Legal Studies at Wits Law School.