Measures for effectively combating racial discrimination and the policies of apartheid and segregation in southern Africa

XXIII. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE
2439. Measures for effectively combating racial discrimination and the policies of apartheid and segregation in southern Africa

The General Assembly, Having considered the recommendation contained in Economic and Social Council resolution 1332 (XLIV) of 31 May 1968, Recalling its resolution 2144 A (XXI) of 26 October 1966, in which it invited the Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Human Rights to give urgent consideration to ways and means of improving the capacity of the United Nations to put a stop to violations of human rights wherever they may occur, Recalling also its resolution 2145 (XXI) of 27 October 1966, by which it terminated South Africa's Mandate for Namibia, then called South West Africa, Taking into account its resolutions 2307 (XXII) of 13 December 1967 on the policies of apartheid of the Government of South Africa and 2324 (XXII) and 2325 (XXII) of 16 December 1967 on the question of Namibia, Taking into account the documents and recommendations of the seminars on apartheid held in Brazil in 1966 and in Zambia in 1967, Gravely concerned at the evidence of inhuman practices by the Government of South Africa and by the illegal racist minority régime in Southern Rhodesia against the non-white population of South Africa, Namibia and Southern Rhodesia, Noting that the Government of South Africa and the illegal régime in Southern Rhodesia are finding support for the policy of apartheid and racial discrimination in the fact that a number of States are continuing to trade with them and are maintaining diplomatic, cultural and other ties and relations with them and affording them military assistance, Convinced that the flagrant violations of human rights in southern Africa are of serious international concern and require urgent and effective action by the United Nations,

1. Endorses the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur appointed by the Commission on Human Rights under its resolution 7 (XXIII) of 16 March 19672[1] that the Government of South Africa be requested to repeal, amend and replace laws cited in paragraph 1547 of the Special Rapporteur's report;[2]

2. Considers it essential that, in order to conform with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, the Government of South Africa should undertake to repeal, amend and replace the various discriminatory laws cited in paragraph 1547 of the Special Rapporteur's report;

3. Calls upon the Government of South Africa to repeal, amend and replace the laws in force in South Africa referred to in paragraph 1 above and to report to the Secretary-General on the measures taken or envisaged in accordance with that paragraph;

4. Urges all States to encourage information media within their territories to publicize the evils of apartheid and racial discrimination and the inhuman acts practised by the Government of South Africa and the illegal régime in Southern Rhodesia, as well as the aims and purposes of the United Nations and its efforts to eliminate these evils;

5. Condemns the actions of all those Governments which, in violation of United Nations resolutions, are continuing to maintain diplomatic, commercial, military, cultural and other relations with South Africa and the illegal régime in Southern Rhodesia;

6. Calls upon those, Governments to break off such relations;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to take steps to draw the widest possible public attention to the evils of these policies through the interested non-governmental organizations, trade unions, religious institutions, student and other organizations, as well as libraries and schools;

8. Also requests the Secretary-General to keep under constant review the question of promoting co-ordination and co-operation in the activities of the specialized agencies and organs of the United Nations dealing with matters relating to apartheid and racial discrimination in southern Africa;

9. Further requests the Secretary-General to establish a United Nations information centre in South Africa with a view to disseminating the aims and purposes of the United Nations;

10. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its twenty-fourth session on the implementation of the present resolution, and in particular on the actions taken by the Government of South Africa to give effect to paragraph 3 above.

1748th plenary meeting,
19 December 1968.


[1] See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, Forty-second Session, Supplement No. 6 (E/4322 and Corr.1), para. 376. [2] E/CN.4/949/Add.4.
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