28 November 2000
Ambassador Dumisani S. Kumalo, South African Permanent Representative to the United Nations announced at the meeting of the Preparatory Commission on the establishment of the International Criminal Court that South Africa ratified the Statute of the Court this morning. The ratification of the Court's Statute is evidence of South Africa's resolve to end impunity for international crimes and contribute to the establishment of an institution for international justice. The Preparatory Commission will meet in New York from 27 November 2000 to 8 December 2000.
Ambassador Kumalo stated that "as victims of the crime of apartheid we experienced the pain and despair suffered by victims of crimes against humanity when they are without a forum from which to seek justice. It is for that reason that we have resolved not to be party to the delay in establishing the Court any longer and invite other states to make the same decision and act upon it by ratifying the International Criminal Court Statute".
Signature to the Statute of the International Criminal Court has reached universal proportions and the wave of ratification is just halfway to the sixtieth ratification necessary to bring the Statute into force. This is evidence of the international community's belief that the International Criminal Court shall be an instrument of justice for victims of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression everywhere in the world.
For enquries call Dumisani Rasheleng
TEL. 012 351 0128/0067
Cell no. 083 709 8166
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
P/B X152
Pretoria
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