Families Welcome South African Parliament’s Call for Engineers’ Release from Equatorial Guinea.

The families of imprisoned South African engineers Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham welcome a unanimous call by the South African Parliament for their immediate release. The motion highlights concerns over their unlawful detention, which is linked to political retaliation from Equatorial Guinea, with a strong endorsement of their plight from both public and international supporters.

The families of Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, two South African engineers unjustly imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea since February 9, 2023, expressed profound gratitude towards the South African Parliament. On October 22, 2023, the Parliament unanimously adopted a motion calling for their immediate release. The detention of the two engineers is viewed by their families as retaliation stemming from the seizure by South African courts of properties and superyachts owned by Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea and son of the President. The motion presented by Emma Powell of the Democratic Alliance condemned the unlawful imprisonment and underscored the findings of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which declared the arrests arbitrary and a gross violation of human rights. The Parliament reasserted South Africa’s commitment to uphold international law and human rights, calling for the prompt release of Potgieter and Huxham. Shaun Murphy, representing the Potgieter family, stated, “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.” Furthermore, the families have garnered substantial support for their cause, with nearly 15,000 signatures from an international petition demanding justice for the two engineers. Francois Nigrini, speaking for the Huxham family, remarked, “This kind of hostage diplomacy is a gross injustice and must be condemned in the strongest terms.” The South African Parliament’s action reflects a broader solidarity with the families of Potgieter and Huxham and reinforces the call for accountability in international legal matters.

The detention of Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham occurred amidst escalating tensions related to international legal issues involving Equatorial Guinea’s political elite. Their arrest is allegedly linked to the seizure of luxury assets belonging to Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, prompting claims from their families of hostage diplomacy. The situation raised significant human rights concerns, particularly regarding the legality of their detention, which has been challenged in various international legal forums, including findings from the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

The recent resolution by the South African Parliament has highlighted the dire situation of Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, reinforcing calls for their immediate release while shedding light on the implications of international political conflicts on individual liberties. The families’ plea for justice has resonated widely, indicating a strong public sentiment against such violations of human rights and the need for governmental intervention.

Original Source: www.engineeringnews.co.za