South African Government commitment to Human Rights and Democracy with its failure to publicly call for the Resignation of President Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak of Egypt

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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

FOR ORAL REPLY

QUESTION NO: (NCOP) CO111E

MR HB GORENEWALD (DA- NW) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

1. Whether the SA Government has informed a certain person (name furnished) prior to his departure on 11 February 2011 that he should resign; if not, why not; if so, when;
   
   
2. Whether she will reconcile the Government’s commitment to human rights and democracy with its failure to publically call for the resignation of the said person prior to 11 February 2011; if so, how?          CO111E

 REPLY:

1. No.

South Africa does not interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states.


2. South Africa issued a statement on 31 January 2011 which called on the “Government and people of Egypt to seek a speedy and peaceful resolution to the current crisis. The resolution of this crisis will without doubt pave the way for a new era in Egypt”. The statement adheres to South Africa’s commitment to human rights and democracy and is in line with the international principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states.

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