South African Parliament unanimously supports the urgent release of businessmen Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter, imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea on charges deemed arbitrary and illegal by the UN. The motion underscores a commitment to human rights and calls upon the government to facilitate their return home amid allegations of hostage diplomacy related to legal disputes over assets of the Equatorial Guinea vice-president.
The Parliament of South Africa has unanimously passed a motion urging the immediate release of two South African businessmen, Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter, who are currently imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea under dubious circumstances. Their detainment has been deemed arbitrary and illegal by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which has expressed its support for the pair who have been incarcerated since February of the previous year. The motion adopted by Parliament condemns the actions that led to their arrests and calls upon the South African government to take decisive action towards securing their freedom. The underlying issue appears to be a complex legal dispute concerning South African assets associated with Teodoro “Teddy” Nguema Obiang Mangue, the vice-president of Equatorial Guinea. Family representatives of the imprisoned men expressed their gratitude towards the parliamentary support, emphasizing the importance of accountability and adherence to international legal standards. The spokesperson for the Potgieter family stated, “Parliament has effectively endorsed the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s formal opinion, issued in July, which concluded Peter and Frik’s arrests and ongoing detention are arbitrary and illegal, and called for their immediate release. The imprisonment of these two innocent men by the government of Equatorial Guinea is a direct violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to liberty and security of person, as enshrined in international law.” The motion, tabled by Emma Powell from the Democratic Alliance (DA), follows a significant global outcry, with nearly 15,000 supporters advocating for the men’s release through an online petition. Huxham and Potgieter were sentenced to 12 years in prison for alleged drug smuggling, an accusation that seems unfounded and tied to external factors beyond their control.
The case of Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter is situated within a broader narrative relating to the political and legal ties between South Africa and Equatorial Guinea, particularly concerning the alleged misuse of diplomatic power for personal gain. The two businessmen, who worked within the offshore oil and gas industry, were arrested after a luxury yacht associated with the Equatorial Guinea vice-president was seized. Observers of this case have pointed out that their arrests may be part of a pattern of hostage diplomacy, whereby individuals are imprisoned under dubious charges as a means to influence international relations or resolve financial disputes.
In summary, the unanimous motion by the South African Parliament calling for the release of Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter highlights significant concerns surrounding human rights violations and the arbitrary nature of their imprisonment. The parliamentary support, along with the UN’s backing, underscores the collective demand for accountability and adherence to international legal standards. Both families of the imprisoned men are hopeful that this growing support, both locally and internationally, will catalyze their release and ensure justice is served.
Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za
