The Antarctic Treaties Act, 1996 (Act No. 60 of 1996) is a South African statute that incorporates the Antarctic Treaty System into national law. It provides that the Antarctic Treaty, the Protocol on Environmental Protection (PEP), the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals, and the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources all form part of South African law.
The act was enacted because of South Africa's ratification of the PEP in 1995, as well as the increase in Antarctic tourism.[1] It asserts South African jurisdiction over treaty violations by South African citizens and permanent residents, as well as members of expeditions organised in South Africa, subject to exceptions for expeditions by foreign governments. It makes violations of treaty provisions criminal offences and sets maximum sentences for them. For the purposes of enforcement it places Antarctica within the jurisdiction of the magistrate's court at Cape Town.[1]
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