Detention, torture and other inhuman treatment of children in South Africa.

1990/11. Detention, torture and other inhuman treatment of children in South Africa

The Commission on Human Rights, Recalling its resolutions 1987/14 of 3 March 1987, 1988/11 of 29 February 1988 and 1989/4 of 23 February 1989, Recalling also General Assembly resolutions 42/124 of 7 December 1987, 43/134 of 8 December 1988 and 44/143 of 15 December 1989, adopted without a vote, in which the Assembly expressed its profound outrage at evidence of detention, torture and inhuman treatment of children in South Africa, Recalling the relevant provisions of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Being Subjected to Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989, Having examined the interim report Of the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on southern Africa (E/CN.4/1990/7) as well as the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/1990/6), Having also examined Mr. F.W. de Klerk's statement of 2 February 1990 and taken note of it, Appalled at the continuing evidence that children in South Africa are subjected to detention, torture and inhuman treatment, Gravely concerned about reports of the continuing repressive measures targeted on children in South Africa, Noting with indignation the impotence of the South African judiciary and the degradation of its professional ethics, Reiterating its Position that apartheid is repugnant, immoral and constitutes an affront to human dignity,

1. Reiterates its vigorous condemnation of the detention, torture and inhuman treatment of children in South Africa;

2. Demands that South Africa lift forthwith the restrictions imposed on children, particularly those released from detention, and ensure their basic and legitimate freedoms of movement, association and education;

3. Demands also the immediate and unconditional release of all children held in detention;

4. Demands further the immediate and total termination of the state of emergency and the abrogation of all repressive and discriminatory legislation;

5. Requests all relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to launch a world wide campaign aimed at drawing attention to, monitoring and exposing these inhuman practices;

6. Further demands the immediate and total abolition of the apartheid system and its replacement with a non-racial representative government based on the principle of universal suffrage;

7. Appeals to the international community to adopt concrete and effective measures to bring pressure to bear against the Government of South Africa until it dismantles apartheid and abandons all inhuman practices associated with this policy;

8. Requests the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on southern Africa to pay special attention to the question of detention, torture and other inhuman treatment of children in South Africa and report to the Commission on Human Rights at its forty-seventh session;

9. Requests the Secretary-General to provide every assistance to enable the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts to discharge its responsibilities in accordance with the relevant provisions of the present resolution;

10. Requests also the Secretary-General to intervene with the Government of South Africa in order to bring to an end the detention, torture and other forms of inhuman treatment of children in South Africa and to report on the outcome of his efforts to the Commission on Human Rights at its forty-seventh session;

11. Further requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of the relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations;

12. Decides to discuss the question of detention, torture and other inhuman treatment of children in South Africa at its forty-seventh session under the agenda item "Violations of human rights in southern Africa: report of the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts".

38th meeting
23 February 1990
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. V.]
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