The wave of global anti-racism protests across the world has led the American Bar Association to cancel an address by former South African president FW de Klerk at its annual event.

De Klerk, who was the president during the last days of apartheid, was scheduled to speak at the event about the rule of law, constitutional democracy, minority rights and racism in a virtual meeting on July 2.

"However, in the current superheated climate relating to issues of race, the invitation has elicited vitriolic reaction from activists in South Africa and the United States," according to a statement by the FW De Klerk Foundation in Cape Town.

However, it said the allegation that De Klerk was involved in gross violations of human rights is "baseless."

"Despite its diligent investigation of all of the evidence before it, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission failed in its efforts to link him with any such action."

Nevertheless, the foundation said it appears unacceptable in the current super-heated racial climate that any leader from South Africa's troubled past should be permitted to retain the slightest vestige of honor.

De Klerk has acknowledged that the apartheid system that he inherited from history was "a crime against humanity" as defined in the Statute of Rome.  His contribution was to abolish apartheid and to lead the way to adoption of a non-racial democratic constitution for all South Africans, said his foundation.

It added that De Klerk has no intention of participating in any event that will cause him or his hosts embarrassment.

Earlier this month, research showed that racial inequality still looms large within South Africa's judiciary, despite the nation having emerged from apartheid as a democracy committed to transformation.

Read More

Racial Inequality Still Rife Within South Africa's Judiciary, Lawyers Say