South Africa`s arms sales and human rights.

Abstract

Central to South African foreign policy is the promotion and protection of human rights. It was during -994 that former President Nelson Mandela stated that human rights would be the light that guides our foreign affairs. However South Africa’s comrmlment to promote peace in the international system and its commitment to protect and promote human rights has attracted large-scale criticism. Primarily because tire present government has embarked on an active campaign to market South African armaments abroad. Weapons are being sold to countries that have an appalling human rights record, countries that are engaged in either civil or regional wars as well as states that are ruled by military dictatorships. In this regard South Africa’s arms sales contradict and prevent South Africa from remaining firm in its commitment to promote human rights. This report maintains that the safeguards implemented by the NCACC are lacking at a practical level and also that the government needs to consistently and strictly apply the safeguards. Furthermore in the long term South Africa should seek alternate forms o f income generating activities and should in the mean tim e consider conversion and diversification of the armaments industry. In this way the government will be able to promote the economic development of South Africa and at the same time remain firm in its commitment to promote international peace and human rights both at a domestic and an international level.