Question 2
Mr K S Mubu (Democratic Alliance) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) Whether the Government will (a) call for the resignation of President Gadaffi and (b) end diplomatic ties with Libya in light of the Libyan government's killing of more than 1 000 protesters; if so, when will the message be sent to the government of Libya, in each case; if not,
(2) whether the Government is able to reconcile its commitment to human rights and democracy with its refusal to call for Mr Gadaffi's resignation in light of the continued killing of Libyan citizens by the Gadaffi government; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how?NO972E
Reply:
Honourable Members as the South African government we deeply deplore the killing of civilians under any circumstances and we have repeatedly spoken out against the violence that has claimed the lives of innocent people in Libya.
As you may be aware, the President responded to a similar question in this House last week. As government we have certainly not been silent on the matter of Libya, and commenced our engagement with other Heads of State and Government when events started unfolding. Furthermore, as government we have called on all parties involved to exercise restraint in order to prevent further loss of life.
The South African government has also expressed its views directly to the Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar Gadaffi, regarding the violence and loss of civilian lives. We concomitantly called on the Government and people of Libya to seek a speedy and peaceful resolution to the current conflict.
The President further articulated that South Africa does not operate in a vacuum on international matters, since we operate within the ambit of the African Union and the United Nations (UN).
Pursuant to government’s on-going engagements on this matter, in his Human Rights Day address two days ago, the President called for an immediate ceasefire in Libya and an end to attacks on civilians. He asserted that the UN Security Council Resolution should be implemented in letter and spirit by all members of the UN Security Council.
Furthermore, he called for operations aimed at enforcing the 'no fly zone' and protecting civilians to be limited to just that, and that they should not harm or endanger the lives of civilians.
Thus, our commitment as government to human rights and the protection of human life remains steadfast and we will continue to express ourselves vociferously about the unacceptability of the loss of civilian lives wherever this may occur.
I thank you
