South African Government call upon the authorities in Abu Dhabi return Professor Karabus to South Africa
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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION NO: 3 (NO270E)
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 1-2013 OF 6 MARCH 2013
MRS C DUDLEY (ACDP) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:
(1) Whether the Government has called upon the authorities in Abu Dhabi to immediately return Professor Karabus to South Africa; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY:
(1) The South African Government continues its efforts to engage the UAE authorities with a view to securing the release of Professor Karabus, as illustrated by the following:
i. Minister Nkoana-Mashabane wrote a letter dated 20 December 2012 to her UAE counterpart expressing South Africa’s concern and requesting the UAE authorities to deal with the case in an expeditious and fair manner.
ii. The UAE Ambassador in South Africa had been called in twice to express South Africa’s concern on the issue and a démarche was handed over to him on 10 January 2013.
iii. The South African Government and the Embassy in Abu Dhabi had extensive interaction with the UAE Foreign Ministry and other stakeholders regarding the case.
iv. Deputy Minister Marius Fransman met the UAE authorities on 3 March 2013 for further discussions regarding the continued detention of Prof Karabus. During the consultations, he called for Prof. Karabus’s release on humanitarian grounds.
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