11 Jul 2023

The Serious Crimes of International Concern Bill defends humanity against cruelty.

Members of Parliament said this on July 10 when debating the Serious Crimes of International Concern Bill tabled by Minister of Justice, Mr Machana Shamukuni.

Mochudi East MP, Mr Mabuse Pule, said the bill showed the country’s commitment to safeguard the human race. He said the country considered international law legitimate hence its decision to conform and implement its obligations under the Rome Statute

Mr Pule said crimes of international concern included murder which the country had a stiffer punishment of death penalty in an effort to deter people from killing others.

Shoshong MP, Mr Aubrey Lesaso, supported the bill, saying it would deter people from committing serious crimes of international concern such as murder and genocide.

He said the country was under no duress to pass the bill, but was doing its international obligation.

He warned that the country should guard such crimes, adding that classifying others as southerners and northerners was not good for the country as it could sow divisions. He said politicians should stand against divisions, adding that politicians had followers hence whatever they said and did could affect the country.

Whilst Mahalapye West MP, Mr David Tshere, said he supported any law that would make Botswana to comply with its international obligations.

He said the Serious Crimes of International Concern Bill would become a superior law as it gave Batswana an opportunity to seek relief from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

He said it required those in power and positions of leadership to know that they could be taken to the ICC if they committed serious crimes. Furthermore, he said the bill prescribed the death penalty which the United Nations and other countries were against, adding that he did not support death penalty.

He also said there were cases of missing persons in the country as well as unclassified drugs. He said although they were a threat to the country, they were not given the attention they deserved.

Nata-Gweta legislator, Mr Polson Majaga, also supported the bill, saying it came at a time when the world was faced with many forms of serious crimes.

He said the bill prescribed the death penalty as one of the forms of punishment, but that not all countries supported the death penalty.

Mr Majaga also said there was need for other countries to comply with their international obligations, saying it would ensure that no country harboured suspects of Serious Crimes of International Concern.

Mr Tumisang Mangwegape-Healey, the MP for Gaborone Central, also supported the bill, saying Serious Crimes of International Concern such as sexual assaults, slavery and genocide were some of the crimes against humanity.

Mr Mangwegape-Healey said there were countries which were still suffering from the repercussions of genocide, adding that Botswana should not be afraid to speak the truth to support victims of serious international crimes.

He added that he was happy that the bill would criminalise apartheid, adding that as one of the frontline states, the country should show its disapproval of apartheid.

Mr Mangwegape-Healey said the bill was part of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) promises during the 2019 election campaign.

The bill provides for the prosecution of core international crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crime of aggression. ENDS