Cogito Ergo Non Serviam
Violence at Antarctic Base
The only continent in the world never to have had a murder is Antarctica, and that is largely because there are no indigenous humans there and the people who do go are mission-focused scientists and support staff. They are rigorously screened for psychological traits that could become problematic, and the people down there are mentally more balanced as a group than the general population. However, that does not mean these folks are void of human failings. News has come from Sanae IV, a South African base, that one of its people there assaulted another, although not sexually as was suggested in some reports. The Johannesburg government is working to fix the problem, but it had better hurry because winter at the South Pole is coming soon.
The first question most unfamiliar with the region ask is who owns it? Those who know the south polar realms wonder the same thing. Some nations have territorial claims there, but since the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, all the nations have agreed to freeze any such claims indefinitely in the interests of science. Under the 1959 agreement, any nation can explore any part of the continent it likes. Cooperation rather than competition is the order of the day because of the harsh climate and dangerous working conditions that stem from it. Jurisdiction, such as it is, belongs to the nation sending the expedition or setting up the base, in this instance, South Africa.
The BBC reported, A South African government spokesperson told the BBC that the alleged assault was triggered by "a dispute over a task the team leader wanted the team to do – a weather dependant task that required a schedule change".
"Incidents in Antarctica are rare, but not unprecedented. In 2018 there were reports of a stabbing at the Russian-operated Bellingshausen research station."
Sanae IV usually has doctor, a couple of mechanics, three engineers, a meteorological expert and a couple of physicists. In other words, it is only a few faces for days, weeks and months on end. As anyone who is married happily knows, one still needs a break even from people one loves. South of 60 degrees south, one just does not go for a walk, not a below zero Fahrenheit. It is a testament to screening that violence is rare.
The base personnel appear to have been dropped off there February 1, and an email arrived in South Africa from an unnamed researcher asking for assistance on February 27. According to CBS News, “the researcher alleged that the male team member had physically assaulted a colleague, threatened to kill a different colleague and sexually assaulted another. However, South African officials later said the report of a sexual assault was not correct.
"His behavior has become increasingly egregious, and I am experiencing significant difficulty in feeling secure in his presence," the newspaper quoted the researcher as writing, adding: "It is imperative that immediate action is taken to ensure my safety and the safety of all employees."
The South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (the governmental body that handles Antarctica) issued a statement that read in part:
"The alleged perpetrator has willingly participated in further psychological evaluation, has shown remorse and is willingly cooperative to follow any interventions that are recommended. He has written a formal apology to the victim and is willing to verbally apologise to all members at the base. The Department has also implemented a longer term sustained intervention process through trained professional counselling services in order to restore the relationships and build a healthy working environment."
One trusts that the South African government has this under control now. The weather is going to make evacuation of personnel impossible in a few weeks. If not, humans being human might just get someone killed.
© Copyright 2025 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Ubuntu Linux.
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