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Mr. Chairman, Honourable members, ladies and gentlemen.

Since 1994, South Africa has become an increasingly important player on the international stage, thanks to our wonderful and respected constitution, which promotes respect for human rights and the rule of law.

That our foreign policy is premised on this is not by accident but a deliberate effort to reflect this internationally-admired Constitution in our dealings internationally. This, therefore, means that the promotion and protection of human rights should be the cornerstone of all our international relations. Their advancement should be the fundamental guide in determining who our diplomatic partners are.

In 1994, former president Nelson Mandela observed and I quote: "South Africa's future foreign relations will be based on our belief that human rights should be the core concern of international relations. South Africa will not be indifferent to the rights of others. Human rights will be the light that guides our foreign affairs." (end of quote).

However, our foreign policy has sometimes come under very serious scrutiny because we have allowed ambiguity to set in. The Dalai Lama issue and the continuing Zimbabwe saga are some of the examples.

When we allow these mixed messages to occur, when we do not walk the talk, we put our international image and reputation at risk and we lose the admiration of those nations that have come to hold us in high esteem for our respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Why is it therefore that we have failed to speak out loudly on the abuse of human rights in some of the countries with which we enjoy diplomatic relations, like China, Zimbabwe, Mynmar and Sudan? Is this for political or economic reasons?

Under the previous administration, South Africa's foreign policy systematically shifted away from the core purpose of protecting and promoting human rights, to excusing those who undermined them and protecting those who abused them.

The recent suggestion by President Zuma that we should grant amnesty to African dictators, tyrants and despots in exchange for their stepping down raises the question of the principle of accountability by African leaders.

It is unfortunate that President Zuma has not used the opportunity to draw a line in the sand and set down a marker - just as former President Mandela did - making it clear that South Africa will strive to be the champion of human rights in Africa and abroad and that we will do everything in our power to ensure better democratic practice on our continent.

Furthermore, our role at the United Nations was tainted by a number of decisions which blocked the international condemnation of countries that are known to abuse the human rights of their own people, including Zimbabwe and Sudan.

Mr. Chairman, over the years, we have seen a worrying trend whereby our citizens have been caught on the wrong side of the law in foreign countries.

This has caused our travel documents to be viewed with suspicion in many countries. As a result, many genuine South African passport holders have met with hostility, particularly in the northern hemisphere countries.

It is therefore important that we safeguard our international reputation and image among the international community of countries by protecting our national passport.

Mr. Chairman, another worrying trend has been the recent reports of simmering tensions between South Africans and immigrants in some communities. Just over a year ago, we saw disturbing images of foreigners being attacked, chased from their homes and their possessions destroyed in what has come to be known as xenophobic attacks.

As we get close to the 2010 World Cup, we cannot afford to have a repeat of these shameful events, that made many of us hang our heads in shame. In just a year's time South Africa will be host to thousands of visitors. If we allow this to happen again, we run the risk of many people thinking twice about visiting our country. We should not forget the hospitality that many of our people, including some of our leaders, received in many African countries during the dark days of apartheid.

Mr. Chairman, it is also common knowledge that South Africa has become a hiding place for some international criminals and fugitives who are on the run from their own countries and from the long arm of the law. I think that we have a responsibility to cooperate with international law enforcement agencies in other countries to hand these criminals over to the authorities in their countries in order that they can face the full might of the law.

Some of these have brought their ill-gotten wealth and have invested in plush homes and properties in this country. Among those who have snapped up prime properties in this country are known African rights abusers who have purchased these properties with stolen public funds.

Mr. Chairman, South Africa has some of the best universities on this continent. It is therefore natural that we attract thousands of students from the continent.

However, among these students are children of some of Africa's dictators who come here at the expense of their own people. While their own educational systems are falling apart because of underfunded higher education institutions, these children come here to receive first class education funded by ill-gotten money.

With regard to our African Agenda, we have noted with pride the very important role our country has played and continues to play in conflict resolution, post-conflict reconstruction, peace-keeping and economic development support to many countries on our continent. A lot of course still needs to be done in this regard.

At the same time we have also noted the contribution that South Africa continues to make to the African Union, the South African Development Community and to various regional initiatives. In a number of cases, South Africa has made significantly greater contributions to many initiatives on this continent than any other African country.

This is clearly understood, in view of our economic position. But we should be careful not to fall into the trap of the Big Brother in our efforts.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, we would like to see a more open and coherent foreign policy that is applicable in equal measure to all our diplomatic partners, regardless of what the ruling party might be deriving out of such a relationship. We should not shy away from condemning the blatant violation of human rights wherever this might be happening.

I thank you.