Tladi’s appointment to ICJ ‘monumental achievement’ – Judges Matter
Independent judicial monitoring organisation Judges Matter says the appointment of Professor Dire Tladi to the International Court of Justice in the Hague reflects the quality of lawyers produced by South Africa.
He was sworn in as a judge of the World Court after being elected by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.
Tladi, a former professor of international law at the University of Pretoria, will serve a term of nine years.
Listen to Tladi's solemn declaration below:
Judges Matter's Mbekezeli Benjamin said Tladi’s appointment should serve as an inspiration to others, as he is someone who came from humble beginnings.
“Professor Tladi’s election as a judge of the International Court of Justice is a huge achievement for South Africa. It is a reflection of the quality of lawyers that are produced in South Africa. Of course, he is not the first judge to be (recognised) on the global stage. He follows people like Judge Navi Pillay, who was the United Nation’s Human Rights Commissioner and Judge Kate Savage, who’s also on the United Nation’s Appeal Tribunal.
“However, Professor Tladi made it to the highest echelons of the global legal profession. For someone who has come from Ga-Rankuwa all the way to The Hague in the Netherlands, it’s a monumental achievement.”
Benjamin said Tladi’s vast experience paved the way for his appointment.
“Members of the International Court of Justice are elected by the United Nations General Assembly, which is made up of 193 countries. That election also has to be confirmed by the Security Council of the United Nations, which is about 15 other countries. So, for you to become a judge on the International Court of Justice, you must firstly be a globally recognised expert on international law, but then you have to go through the election process of the United Nations.”
Tladi will be serving alongside 15 other elected judges.
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