President Cyril Ramaphosa has raised concern over human rights violations in war-torn countries and the lack of accountability for those responsible for breaching international law.
Ramaphosa was speaking at the three-day Access to Justice International Conference in Sun City, outside Rustenburg in the North West.
IN PICTURES | President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the keynote address during the official opening of the International Conference on Access to Justice and Responding Developments at the Sun City Convention Centre, North West Province.
The Conference forms part of the commemoration of the Constitution and seeks to advance dialogue on building inclusive, accessible and responsive justice systems.
The Conference provides a strategic platform for governments, judiciaries, academia, civil society, international organisations and development partners, amongst others, to examine emerging justice challenges.
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The conference has brought together justice sector stakeholders from various countries and organisations, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the United Nations and the International Criminal Court.
Ramaphosa says that at a time when the principles of justice and international law are being severely undermined, South Africa remains firmly committed to the international rule of law.
“Human rights must be defended consistently, and the protection of civilians, the pursuit of accountability and respect for human dignity cannot depend on political influence, economic strength or wealth, or the strategic importance of the parties involved. There cannot be one standard of justice for the powerful and another for the weak. The credibility of the international legal order depends on its fairness, its consistency and its independence.”