Hon Chairperson, this is in relation to South Africa's foreign policy and, in particular, the issue that the leader of the ACDP raised. If you, in fact, unpack the opinions and the debates that were forthcoming during the past couple of days at the tribunal, it is very clear that leadership and opinion makers from different areas, different bodies and different world institutions expressed different opinions. What is, important however, is that we respect the right of people to have those different opinions. That is the first thing.
Secondly, we have seen over the past couple of months some of the reality around the Palestinian cause playing itself out; and indeed there are definite concerns that we as the South African nation have put on the table. We have seen recently at the United Nations General Assembly more than 130 countries coming out very clearly on the question around the Palestinian society. However, there is the ability of two or three countries in the world that have a veto right. So, that is a problem, and that is the reason why we are talking about the reform of geopolitical institutions. It is also very clear to us that children are being affected, women are being affected, and that we must help advance the cause for the two-state solution.
The matter relating to human rights and our position around human rights activities is also very clear. In fact, the foreign policy appreciates our own realities as South Africa. We come from a nation in which we had to forgive, in which we had to reach out. Therefore all the matters we have to advance include solidarity in the international community, human rights issues and the value systems within our own Constitution.
It is difficult at times, because you are dealing with different sharp edges in the world, but that is definitely the position that we are taking forward. Many a time, the devil lies in the detail to appreciate the depth of that, and therefore we cannot agree with the hon member who spoke about human rights abuses in South Africa and not be advancing it also in the international community. I thank you. [Applause.]