Well, the hon Athol Trollip is complaining about the delay in finalising the Protection of State Information Bill. Now, he obviously wants us to rush the Bill. So, when the ad hoc committee meets, we will take hon Athol Trollip's position to the ad hoc committee and we will push it through with the necessary speed. [Laughter.]
The committee asks that the Ministry look into the reasons for the delay to ensure that this is an isolated occurrence. Our further concern with regard to these two treaties is that Parliament's involvement takes place after an agreement is negotiated and signed, and is mostly limited to either approving or not approving. The committee believes that consideration needs to be given to the development of a mechanism that will allow parliamentary committees to become involved in discussions, even at an informal level, at a much earlier stage.
The committee, as has already been stated from this podium, is concerned about extradition to the Islamic Republic of Iran, where the death penalty and other corporal punishments may be imposed. We acknowledge that the treaty does allow a requested state to refuse an extradition request. We acknowledge also that extradition can be refused unless the requesting state undertakes or gives sufficient assurance that the person sought will not be detained without trial, tortured or treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading manner. However, assurance is not necessarily a guarantee, and this is part of the committee's concern.
The committee is also of the view that the Department of International Relations and Co-operation should investigate putting a mechanism in place to monitor the treatment of those extradited. This is over and above the normal consular services and oversight. With these concerns put on record, and notwithstanding these concerns, we recommend these treaties for ratification by this House. [Applause.]
Report of Portfolio Committee adopted and Extradition Treaty between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Islamic Republic of Iran approved (Democratic Alliance and African Christian Democratic Party dissenting).
Report of Portfolio Committee adopted and Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Islamic Republic of Iran on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters approved.
CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF LEGAL AID GUIDE 2011 (12th