South Africa will actively engage with countries that criminalize LGBTQIA+ individuals, according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile. Speaking in Parliament while responding to oral questions, Mashatile emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community both domestically and internationally.
Mashatile highlighted that South Africa already has laws in place that outlaw any form of unfair discrimination based on sex, gender, or sexual orientation, regardless of whether it is perpetrated by the government or private entities. He firmly stated that the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals are human rights that should be respected.
Referring to data from the Human Dignity Trust, an NGO advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights, Mashatile pointed out that 67 countries worldwide criminalize same-sex sexual activity. Among these countries, 41 criminalize private and consensual sexual activity between women, 11 impose the death penalty, and 14 criminalize transgender people. He underscored the magnitude of the challenge at hand, as it involves numerous nations that need to be engaged persuasively to recognize the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Mashatile acknowledged that South Africa cannot impose its will on other countries, as each nation’s outlook and laws differ. Instead, the government will continue to engage bilaterally and in various forums, both nationally and internationally, to advocate for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people. He emphasized that the issue affects a significant proportion, 34.3%, of the world’s nations, necessitating ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity and respect for human rights.
Turning to South Sudan, Mashatile reiterated South Africa’s commitment to supporting peace initiatives in the country. He clarified the distinction between the roles of South Africa’s Ambassador and the Special Envoy to South Sudan. While the Ambassador handles normal bilateral relations, the Special Envoy focuses on facilitating lasting peace in South Sudan.
The immediate priority of the Special Envoy is to assist the parties involved in the Transitional Government of National Unity in implementing the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). This agreement, signed in 2018, aimed to end the five-year civil war. Mashatile stressed that the work of the Special Envoy complements the efforts of regional bodies such as IGAD, the AU, and the UN in the quest for peace in South Sudan and the wider African continent.
In the coming months, Mashatile announced his intention to engage with various stakeholders, including South Sudan’s neighbors, the AU High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan (C5), which South Africa chairs, and other relevant parties. Achieving peace in South Sudan, he asserted, is crucial for stabilizing the Horn of Africa region, addressing social and political conflicts, and promoting economic development. Mashatile highlighted the untapped potential of South Sudan’s natural resources and stressed the need for peace to unlock the country’s economic growth and improve the lives of its people.
