South African Parliament Calls for Urgent Release of Engineers…

The South African Parliament has called for the immediate release of two engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, unlawfully imprisoned for over 500 days in Equatorial Guinea. This decision follows a resolution condemning their detention, which the UN deems arbitrary. The families highlight the issue of hostage diplomacy linked to previous legal actions against the Vice-President of Equatorial Guinea.

The South African Parliament has united in a powerful appeal for the release of two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, who have been imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea for over 500 days. The House of Assembly unanimously passed a resolution condemning the men’s arrest as “unlawful” and weakly linked it to an earlier seizure of high-value assets belonging to the Vice-President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue. This incident followed South African courts’ decision to seize a luxury super yacht and villas owned by the vice-president on unrelated legal grounds. Citing humanitarian and legal concerns, the Parliament acknowledged the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s conclusion that their detention is both arbitrary and a violation of international human rights law. Parliament’s resolution emphasizes South Africa’s commitment to uphold human rights and expresses solidarity with the families affected by the wrongful detainment. Shaun Murphy, speaking for the Potgieter family, stated that the imprisonment represents a “direct violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to liberty and security of person.” The families have received overwhelming public support, with nearly 15,000 voices signing a global petition demanding justice for the detained engineers. Both current and former Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola and Naledi Pandor, have made diplomatic appeals to Equatorial Guinea to secure the release of the two men, but thus far, these efforts have yielded no results.

The situation concerning Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham sheds light on broader issues of international diplomatic relations, especially in terms of how legal disputes can lead to severe humanitarian consequences. Their arrests occurred soon after South African courts seized luxury properties linked to the Vice-President of Equatorial Guinea, suggesting a potential link between the legality of asset seizures and retaliatory detainment. This incident raises questions regarding the balance between legal action and the implications it has on citizens abroad, especially in states with problematic human rights records. The case has sparked significant concern within both the South African public and the international community, prompting widespread advocacy for their release.

In summary, the South African Parliament’s unanimous decision to call for the release of Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham illustrates a firm stance against the unlawful detention of citizens abroad. The resolution highlights a commitment to human rights and reaffirms the need for accountability in international relations. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the urgency for action remains pressing as the families and supporters advocate for justice and the restoration of their loved ones’ freedom. The compelling public advocacy emphasizes the need for government intervention to rectify what is perceived as a major injustice on the global stage.

Original Source: www.dailymaverick.co.za