Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Ministers, members of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Co-operation and hon members present here, since 1994 South Africa has become an increasingly important player on the international stage. This is thanks to our wonderful Constitution, which promotes respect for human rights and the rule of law. That our foreign policy is premised on this is certainly not by accident but a deliberate effort to reflect this internationally-admired Constitution in all our international dealings. This, therefore, means that the promotion and protection of human rights should be the cornerstone of all our international relations. Their advancement should be the fundamental guide in determining who should be our diplomatic partners.
In 1994, former President Nelson Mandela observed, and I quote:
South Africa's future foreign relations will be based on our belief that human rights should be the core concern of international relations.
He added that:
South Africa will not be indifferent to the rights of others. Human rights will be the light that guides our foreign affairs.
However, hon Minister, our foreign policy has sometimes come under serious scrutiny because we have allowed ambiguity to set in in its interpretation. The Dalai Lama issue and the continuing Zimbabwe saga are some of the examples.
When we allow these mixed messages to go out that we do not walk the talk, we therefore put our international image and reputation at risk and we lose the admiration of those nations that have come to hold us in high esteem for our respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Why is it, therefore, that we have failed to speak out loudly on the abuse of human rights in some of the countries with which we enjoy diplomatic relations, like China, Zimbabwe, Myanmar and Sudan? Is this for political or economic reasons?
Under the previous administration, South Africa's foreign policy systematically shifted away from the core purpose of protecting and promoting human rights, to excusing those who undermined them and protecting those who abused them.
The recent proposal, for example, by President Jacob Zuma to grant amnesty to African dictators and despots in exchange for their stepping down raises the question of the principle of accountability by African leaders.
It is unfortunate that President Zuma has not used the opportunity to draw a line in the sand and set down a marker - just as President Mandela did - that South Africa will strive to be the champion of human rights in Africa and abroad and that we will do everything in our power to ensure better democratic practices on our continent.
Furthermore, our role at the UN has been tainted by a number of decisions which blocked the international condemnation of countries that are known to abuse the human rights of their own people - the four examples that were given earlier.
Chairman, over the years we have seen a worrying trend whereby our citizens have been caught on the wrong side of the law in foreign countries, particularly while dealing in drugs and other illicit activities.
This has rendered our travel documents to be viewed with scorn, disrespect and suspicion in many countries. As a result, many genuine South African passport holders, when travelling abroad, are met with hostility, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere countries.
It is therefore important that we safeguard our international reputation and image among the international community of countries by protecting our own national travelling papers.
Chairman, another worrying trend has been the recent reports of simmering tensions between South Africans and immigrants in some communities. Just over a year ago, we saw disturbing images of foreigners being attacked, chased from their homes and their possessions destroyed in what has come to be known as xenophobic attacks. As we get close to the 2010 World Cup, we cannot afford to have a repeat of these shameful events that made many of us hang our heads in shame. In just a year's time South Africa will be host to thousands of visitors. If we allow this to happen again, we run the risk of many people thinking twice about visiting our wonderful country. We should not forget the hospitality that many of our people, including some of our leaders, received in many African countries during the dark days of apartheid.
Chairman, it is also common knowledge that South Africa has become a hiding place for some international criminals and fugitives who are on the run from their own countries and from the long arm of the law. I think that we have a responsibility to co-operate with international law enforcement agencies in other countries to hand these criminals over to the authorities in their countries so that they can face the full might of the law.
Some of these people have brought their ill-gotten wealth to our country and have invested in plush homes and properties in this country. Among those who have snapped up prime properties in this country are known African dictators and tyrants who have purchased these properties with stolen funds. Here again we have a responsibility to require that these people do account on how they acquired the funds they are investing in this country.
South Africa has one of the best universities on this continent - I say this because I am also from that background. It is therefore natural that we attract thousands of students to our shores.
However, among those students are children of some of Africa's dictators who come here at the expense of their own people. While their own educational systems are falling apart because of underfunded higher education institutions, these children come here to enjoy and receive first- class education funded by ill-gotten funds.
With regard to our African Agenda, hon Minister, we have noted with pride the very important role our country has played and continues to play in conflict resolution, postconflict reconstruction, peace-keeping and economic development support rendered to many countries on our continent. Of course, a lot still needs to be done in this regard.
At the same time, we have also noted the contribution that our country still continues to make to the AU, the SADC and other regional initiatives. In a number of cases, South Africa has in fact made much more significant contributions to many of these initiatives than any other country on the continent.
This is clearly understood; in view of the fact that, of course, we are in a relatively better economic position than many countries on the continent. But, Madam Minister, we should be careful not to fall into the trap of being regarded as Big Brother on the continent and to suffer from the Big Brother syndrome in our efforts to contribute to these initiatives.
Finally, we would like to see a more open and coherent foreign policy that is applicable in equal measure among all our diplomatic partners, regardless of what the ruling party or the government might be deriving out of such a relationship. We should not shy away from condemning the blatant violation of human rights wherever this might be happening. I thank you. [Applause.]