COMMITTEE SECTION The Role of Parliament in the Approval of Treaties and International Agreements L. Mosala- Content Adviser, PC on International Relations and Cooperation 17 August 2011

INTRODUCTION Since 1994, South Africa - active member of the international community Party to many bilateral and multilateral treaties Has a robust Parliament fully engaged in its role in the conduct of international relations The issue of the role of Parliament in the approval of international agreements/treaties is on the agenda of many parliaments around the world

DEFINITION OF TERMS Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1969 and 1986 ‘A Treaty’: Binding instrument Between states and or international organisations Governed by international law Be in writing One or more instruments

DEFINITION OF TERMS CONT. Distinction between ordinary/executive agreements (OEAs) and a Treaty (TRT) OEAs implement clauses within existing treaty Effective on signature by representatives of States Does not require approval by Parliament Treaty effective only after ratification Requires Parliamentary approval

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS RSA CONSTITUTION 1996 Section 231(1)- International relations policy and the signing of treaties and agreements under responsibility of the Executive Section 231(2) - legal requirement of approval by two Houses of Parliament of treaties to be binding and only of certain agreements

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS CONT. Section 231(3)–international agreements of: Technical Administrative Executive nature That do not require ratification/accession Become binding without parliamentary approval, but be tabled in the two Houses within reasonable time.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS CONT. Section 231(2) -Approval Presupposes that treaty binds SA on the international level only after its been approved by both Houses. To apply domestically, treaty must still be enacted into national legislation as specified in section 231(4), unless it is self-executing.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS CONT. Section 231(4) Introduces concept of self-executing clauses into SA law. Provisions of a treaty approved by Parliament which has these clauses, become part of our law unless inconsistent with the constitution.

EXAMINATION OF TREATIES Examine the treaty, recommend approval or rejection What is approval sought for Confirm compliance with domestic law Which outcome under govt priorities Strategic political focus International obligations created Implications for vulnerable groups Self-executing clauses Financial and Security implications Approval or rejection

CONCLUSION Committee must recommend approval or rejection in writing (Rule 307(3),NA Rules Approval/rejection may be with concerns Highlight concerns at initial stage Allows for inclusion of concerns on domestication of treaty at a later stage under sections 75 & 76 bills

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