The South African Parliament has unanimously condemned the unlawful imprisonment of engineers Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham in Equatorial Guinea and called for their immediate release. Their arrest, perceived as retaliation for a legal seizure of assets belonging to the vice-president of Equatorial Guinea, has lasted more than 500 days. Families express gratitude for parliamentary support and global calls for justice, while diplomatic efforts by South Africa continue without resolution.
The South African Parliament has united in a resolute call for the release of two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, who have been unlawfully imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea since February 9, 2023. Their detention has persisted for over 500 days and has been condemned by Parliament, which has characterized their imprisonment as a violation of human rights. The House of Assembly’s resolution, bin unanimously adopted, demands that the South African government take immediate measures to facilitate their release. The circumstances surrounding their arrest are troubling, occurring shortly after South African courts seized the luxury properties and superyacht of Equatorial Guinea’s Vice-President, Teodore Nguema Obiang Mangue. Families of the imprisoned engineers believe the arrests were a retaliatory action against the seizure of these assets, despite the two men having no direct involvement in the court’s decisions. The resolution from Parliament explicitly states the need for accountability and expresses unwavering support for the affected families in their distress. Both families have expressed profound gratitude for the parliamentary endorsement. Shaun Murphy, spokesperson for the Potgieter family, recalls the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s opinion recognizing their loved ones’ detention as inappropriate and illegal. This opinion reinforces their stance, emphasizing the need for immediate action to rectify this injustice. Francois Nigrini, the Huxham family spokesperson, highlighted the vast international support garnered through petitions advocating for the engineers’ freedom, underscoring that over 15,000 signatures have been collected. He conveyed the urgency for the South African government to prioritize this issue, describing the situation as one of hostage diplomacy. Despite efforts by South African governmental officials to negotiate their release, no progress has been achieved thus far, prompting Parliament’s strong declaration for intervention and protection of its citizens abroad.
The situation of Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham represents a serious concern regarding human rights and diplomatic relations. Their detention has been perceived as retaliatory, linked to the seizure of assets belonging to a powerful political figure in Equatorial Guinea, raising fears about the use of hostage diplomacy. Both men were employed in a Dutch oil company and had no apparent involvement in the legal actions that led to their arrest. Their case has attracted considerable public interest in South Africa, culminating in widespread calls for justice and the reinforcing of governmental obligations to protect its citizens abroad.
In summary, the unanimous resolution passed by the South African Parliament reflects a strong commitment to human rights and the protection of its citizens, specifically in the case of Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham. As their unjust imprisonment enters its 500th day, the situation emphasizes the critical need for diplomatic engagement with Equatorial Guinea. The active support from the public and international community serves as a reminder of the responsibility governments hold in advocating for the rights and security of their citizens.
Original Source: www.dailymaverick.co.za
