Ghanaians Petition ICC Over South Africa Violence

Two Ghanaian nationals have petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a preliminary investigation into xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa, arguing that the violence could amount to crimes against humanity. The petition follows months of anti-immigrant unrest that has left several migrants dead and forced many others to flee the country.

The petition, submitted to the ICC on July 15, alleges a pattern of widespread and systematic attacks on migrants and accuses President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of failing to prevent, investigate and prosecute offences, including murder. The applicants argue that the repeated incidents raise serious concerns about the protection of foreign nationals living in South Africa.

The filing was made by Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a former Ghanaian government spokesperson on governance and security, and Emmanuel Kotin, a counter-terrorism and security analyst. They said the continued attacks and the state’s response warranted the attention of the ICC, which has jurisdiction over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity under certain conditions.

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation rejected the petition, describing it as opportunistic. The government said the country has a comprehensive legal framework to address discrimination, hate crimes and other forms of violence. President Ramaphosa has repeatedly condemned xenophobic attacks and urged South Africans not to blame foreign nationals for the country’s economic and social challenges.

The ICC had not commented on the petition at the time of reporting, and it remains unclear whether the court will decide to open a preliminary investigation.

SOURCE: Reuters