SOUTH AFRICAN LAWYERS FOR JUSTICE

 

Registered Office:                                                                                             Email: tasneem@fredericksinc.co.za

6 Brooks on the Bay Beach R                                                                                    Cell: (+27)0826121657

Summerstrandoad

Gqeberha

Eastern Cape

6001

GIVING HUMANITY A VOICE

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN                                                                                                                            02 February 2024

Dear Madam/ Sir,

Background

The Palestinian struggle for liberation and the recent genocide in Gaza has changedthe world forever. We are witnessing in real time, and for the 1st time in history, a largescale global solidarity movement with the Palestinians as they continue to advocatefor their right to self-determination. The plausibly genocidal conduct of the Zionist entityand its military force as ordered by the International Court of Justice,has paved theway for a united front to put an end to the oppression and occupation of the Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied territories.

On Friday 26 January 2024, before the world, the Honourable Judge President of the International Court of Justice detailed the crimes committed by Israel on the Palestinian people and imposed provisional measures on it to, inter alia, cease committing acts of genocide. For the first time, the voices of the Palestinians, their cries for help, reverberated across the Globe. Post October 7th, the same question burned in the minds of many… “How can we help? What can we do?”2

Who are the South African Lawyers for Justice

South Africa, in its robust approach to the ICJ, has stood as a beacon of freedom and reignited the spirit of Ubuntu that is entrenched in South Africa’s history. We are a voluntary organisation, registered as such, consisting of South African Legal Practitioners, Lawyers, Advocates, Law Professors, Academics who have come together with a shared vision and common goal: the unshackling of the Palestinian people from the tyranny of oppression and unlawful occupation.

We have united for this purpose with an aim to use our collective legal expertise, networking relationships and collaborations to pursue legal proceedings in appropriate forums against individuals and states alike complicit in not only the Genocide in Gaza, but the continued occupation of Palestine. In doing so, we aim to hold those complicit accountable, and restore faith in justice and humanity, while upholding the rule of law, without fear favour and prejudice.

What have we done to date

Under the banner of Wikus van Rensburg Attorneys, we have lodged official complaints before the International Criminal Court and the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa.

We have also sent out demands to the United States of America and the United Kingdom, in relation to their active complicity in the Genocide, and to the Arab States for their failure to enforce International Law and take a proactive stance against the Genocide. We have enclosed copies thereof for ease of reference.

What are we hoping to achieve

With mandates from Palestinians residing within the Republic of South Africa, and both civil and humanitarian organisations, we have accepted the task of:

• Filing formal complaints in the relevant fora.
• Seeking reparation for the Palestinian People.
• Instituting civil action in appropriate countries with applicable jurisdiction.
• Liaising with the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa in relation to the prosecution of South Africans who have breached local legislation and are actively committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocidal acts within the Gaza Strip.

• Lending assistance to the South African Government in the furtherance of their referrals to the ICJ and ICC.

• Engaging with legal and civil organisations internationally to collaborate in their countries in order to enforce the World Court’s order.

• Taking action against companies and countries supplying weapons to the Zionist entity.

• Promoting dialogue through international conferences and like fora to seek a world-wide consensus and united solution to the Palestinian struggle.23

• Promoting international mediation through SA and allied countries towards a settled resolution and the recognition of a sovereign Palestinian State.

International conference in SA on Palestine

In line with our goals to educate and create awareness, we are also involved in ongoing discussions to host and facilitate an international conference. We aim to invite expert speakers from around the world and to provide them with a platform on which pertinent solution-driven discussions can take place on how to bring an end to the many problems Palestinians faced and are currently facing. Such discussions are instrumental in bringing about change that the world so desperately needs.

Our network of international lawyers

We have already communicated and facilitated relationships,with eminent international lawyers globally in the US, UK, France and certain Arab States.

Concluding remarks

We are desirous on collaborating with like-minded entities and institutions that will enhance our vision, mission and objectives with the ultimate goal of a free Palestine and restoration of world peace, humanity and justice.

Yours sincerely ,

Tasneem Fredericks

SOUTH AFRICAN LAWYERS FOR JUSTICE