ICC laws inconsistent with ours - SA government
21 October 2016
Pretoria - The South African government says a move to withdraw from the International Criminal Court and its obligations to the Rome Statute is part of ensuring that the country's international law obligations are properly aligned with domestic law.
"The implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Act, 2002 is in conflict with and inconsistent with the provisions of the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act of 2001," said Justice Minister Michael Masutha at a media briefing in Pretoria.
He said a bill proposing the repeal of the implementation of the Rome Statute will soon be tabled in Parliament, explaining that a letter has already been sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly and chairperson of the National Council of Provinces.
South Africa has already notified the United Nations of its intention and will have to wait for a year before its withdrawal takes effect. In this period it will be held by its obligations under the Rome Statute.