South Africa justice minister submits bill to withdraw from ICC News
South Africa justice minister submits bill to withdraw from ICC

The justice minister of South Africa on Thursday submitted a bill to parliament seeking withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) [official website]. Tshililo Michael Masutha [official profile], the Minister of Justice of South Africa, presented the bill due to the government’s claim [Reuters report] that it interferes with South Africa’s Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act (DIPA) [text, PDF]. A statement from parliament also criticized the ICC for not treating member countries equally. While the government has expressed their criticism of the ICC, this bill is met with opposition. The Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters [party websites] parties both oppose leaving the ICC. There has not been a date set for a final debate or vote on the bill.

South Africa officially announced [JURIST report] its intent to withdraw from the ICC in October. A few days after the announcement, Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] criticized [JURIST report] South Africa for the decision. It is not the only country to express a desire to withdraw from the ICC. Shortly after South Africa’s announcement, the Gambian government announced [JURIST report] that it will be leaving the ICC. Earlier in October Burundi voted to withdraw [JURIST report] from the ICC amid criticism the court only prosecutes African nationals. Also in October the ICC president stated [JURIST report] that such withdrawals “represent[s] a setback in the fight against impunity and the efforts towards the objective of universality of the Statute.”

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.