The South African Parliament has unanimously called for the release of engineers Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, unjustly imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea for over 500 days. Their arrest has been linked to South African court actions against the Vice-President’s assets. The Parliament’s resolution, bearing the weight of a UN opinion labeling their detention arbitrary, echoes a widespread public outcry and seeks immediate governmental intervention.
The South African Parliament has rallied in a unified call for the immediate release of two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, who have been imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea for over 500 days. The House of Assembly unanimously condemned their arrest as unlawful, urging the South African government to take action on their behalf. The families of the detained individuals expressed gratitude to Parliament for its support. Potgieter and Huxham were arrested in February 2023 while working for a Dutch firm in the oil sector of Equatorial Guinea, shortly after South African courts seized properties owned by Equatorial Guinea’s Vice-President, Teodore Nguema Obiang Mangue. The families suspect that the arrests were retaliatory, linked to the seizure of the vice-president’s properties in South Africa. Lawmakers in Parliament, referencing a formal opinion from the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, denounced the ongoing detention as arbitrary and a gross violation of human rights. Scholars and advocates have chimed in, emphasizing the violations associated with hostage diplomacy. The initiative for the resolution came from Democratic Alliance MP Emma Powell. The House expressed strong support for the families and reinforced South Africa’s commitment to human rights and international law. Spokespersons for both the Potgieter and Huxham families highlighted the swell of public support for their case, with nearly 15,000 individuals signing a petition advocating for their release.
The situation surrounding the imprisonment of Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham is rooted in a broader context of diplomatic tensions between South Africa and Equatorial Guinea. The engineers were taken into custody following a contentious legal ruling involving the assets of Equatorial Guinea’s Vice-President in South Africa. Their arrests have been perceived as acts of hostage diplomacy, where individuals are held not directly due to their actions but rather as a means to exert pressure in external political disputes. Legislative bodies, human rights organizations, and public advocacy have taken a strong stance against such practices, emphasizing the importance of upholding international human rights standards.
In summary, the South African Parliament’s unanimous resolution condemning the imprisonment of Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham highlights the urgent need for action to secure their release. As the families seek justice and the international community rallies in support, the South African government faces increasing pressure to negotiate for the engineers’ liberation and to reaffirm its commitment to human rights on the global stage.
Original Source: www.dailymaverick.co.za
