Families of Detained South African Engineers Thank Parliament for Release Motion
Families of two South African engineers imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea expressed gratitude towards the South African Parliament for its unanimous motion calling for their release. This action comes amid accusations that their detention is politically motivated, stemming from a response to asset seizures linked to Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President. The UN has also condemned their arrest as arbitrary, leading to widespread public support for their release.
On October 22, 2023, the South African Parliament unanimously passed a motion calling for the immediate release of two South African engineers, Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter, who have been unjustly detained in Equatorial Guinea since February 9, 2023. The families of the detained engineers expressed profound gratitude for the parliamentary motion, which condemns their unlawful imprisonment and underscores a commitment to international law and human rights. The motion aligns with the findings of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which deemed the men’s arrests as arbitrary and in violation of their basic rights. The engineers’ families contend that their unlawful detention is a retaliatory action against South Africa following judicial actions involving the seizure of assets belonging to Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of the President of Equatorial Guinea. Public support for the engineers has surged, with nearly 15,000 petitioners globally advocating for their release. The families of Huxham and Potgieter are urging the South African government to prioritize their case and take necessary actions to ensure their release, highlighting the severe injustice represented by the ongoing hostage diplomacy.
The case of Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter has drawn significant attention both domestically in South Africa and internationally. These two engineers have reportedly been detained in Equatorial Guinea as a result of geopolitical tensions related to the seizure of properties belonging to a high-ranking government official. Their detention has raised serious concerns regarding human rights violations and the conduct of foreign governments regarding unlawful imprisonments, prompting actions from local and international human rights advocates. The response from the South African Parliament signifies an official acknowledgment of the situation and a collective desire to rectify the injustices faced by the engineers.
The passage of the motion by the South African Parliament is a critical development in the effort to secure the release of Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter from Equatorial Guinea. The families of the detained engineers have expressed deep appreciation for the support received, emphasizing the need for urgent action by the South African government to address what they describe as a serious violation of human rights. This case not only highlights individual suffering but also raises broader issues regarding international law and the responsibility of nations to protect their citizens abroad.
Original Source: www.engineeringnews.co.za
