In preparation for the upcoming BRICS summit to be held in August, South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Naledi Pandor, has provided diplomatic immunity for officials attending the event. However, this decision has caused some controversy as it comes in the midst of an international warrant being issued for the arrest of Russian President, Vladimir Putin, by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes committed in Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine.
As a country that has signed the Rome Statute, South Africa has a legal obligation to arrest Putin upon his arrival in the country. Nevertheless, the decision was made to grant immunity for both the BRICS ministerial meeting in June and the BRICS summit in August.
According to the gazette released by South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, “the immunities and privileges to be accorded to the participants of the BRICS Ministerial Meeting and the BRICS Summit for the duration of both meetings are those provided for in the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and the 1947 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of Specialised Agencies, as may be applicable and for their effective participation in the Ministerial Meeting and the Summit.”
This diplomatic immunity granted to Putin has caused significant bureaucratic issues owing to international relations. South Africa’s joint military drills with China and Russia in February elicited criticism from local opposition parties. Putin even considered remote attendance of the BRICS summit before the South African government granted him diplomatic immunity.
In summary, the South African government’s decision to grant diplomatic immunity to Putin has sparked controversy due to international warrants of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court. Nevertheless, the country is proceeding with planning and efforts to host the BRICS summit with delegates participating without fear of legal trouble.
