Policies of apartheid of the Government of South Africa : International solidarity with the liberation struggle in South Africa

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 41/35 A of 10 November 1986,

Having considered the report of the Special Committee against Apartheid, in particular paragraphs 137 to 139 and 148,

Gravely concerned at the escalating repression of and State terror against opponents of apartheid and the increasing intransigence of the racist regime of South Africa, demonstrated by the extension of the state of emergency, the vast number of arbitrary detentions, trials, torture and killing, including of women and children, the increased use of vigilante groups and the muzzling of the press,

Outraged by the racist regime's escalation of acts of aggression and destabilization against neighbouring independent African States, including assassinations and abductions of South Africans in those States, and the continuing illegal occupation of Namibia,

1.         Reaffirms its full support to the people of South Africa in their struggle, under the leadership of their national liberation movements, to eradicate apartheid totally, so that they can exercise their right to self-determination in a free, democratic, unfragmented and non-racial South Africa;

2.         Reaffirms further the legitimacy of the struggle of the people of South Africa and their right to choose the necessary means, including armed resistance, to attain the eradication of apartheid;

3.         Condemns the policy and practice of apartheid and, in particular, the execution of patriots and captured freedom fighters in South Africa and demands that the racist regime:

(a)        Stay the execution of those now on death row;

(b)        Abide by the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and Additional Protocol I of 1977 thereto;

4.         Demands again that the racist regime end repression against the oppressed people of South Africa; lift the state of emergency; release unconditionally Nelson Mandela, Zephania Mothopeng, all other political prisoners, trade union leaders, detainees and restrictees and, in particular, detained children; lift the ban on the African National Congress of South Africa, the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania and other political parties and organizations; allow free political association and activity of the South African people and the return of all political exiles; put an end to the policy of bantustanization and forced population removals; eliminate apartheid laws and end military and paramilitary activities aimed at the neighbouring States;

5.         Considers that the implementation of the above demands would create the appropriate conditions for free consultations among all the people of South Africa with a view to negotiating a just and lasting solution to the conflict in that country;

6.         Appeals to all States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, mass media, and city and other local authorities as well as individuals to increase urgently political, economic, educational, legal, humanitarian and all other forms of necessary assistance to the people of South Africa and their national liberation movements;

7.         Also appeals to all States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to step up material, financial and other forms of support to the front-line and other member States of the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference and thus assist them in resisting the aggression, terrorism, destabilization, political subversion and economic blackmail perpetrated by the racist regime;

8.         Urges all States to contribute generously to the Action for Resisting Invasion, Colonialism and Apartheid Fund set up by the Eighth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries with the aim of increasing support to the liberation movements fighting the apartheid regime and to the front-line States;

9.         Decides to continue the authorization of adequate financial provision in the regular budget of the United Nations to enable the South African liberation movements recognized by the Organization of African Unity - namely, the African National Congress of South Africa and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania - to maintain offices in New York in order to participate effectively in the deliberations of the Special Committee against Apartheid and other appropriate bodies;

10.       Requests Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to exert their influence towards the implementation of this resolution.

B Application of co-ordinated and strictly monitored measures against South Africa

The General Assembly,

Recalling and reaffirming its resolutions on sanctions against South Africa,

Taking note of the report of the Special Committee against Apartheid, in particular paragraphs 10 and 11 and 141 to 149,

Considering that measures taken by States individually and collectively, while commendable, vary in coverage and degree of enforcement, which allows the racist regime to exploit existing gaps,

Commending the action taken by labour unions, women's organizations, student groups and other anti-apartheid organizations for the total isolation of the apartheid regime,

1.         Urges all States that have not yet done so, pending the imposition of comprehensive and mandatory sanctions, to adopt legislative and/or comparable measures so as to impose effective sanctions against South Africa and, in particular:

(a)        To impose embargoes on the supply of all products, technologies and services that can be used for the military and nuclear industry of South Africa, including military intelligence;

(b)        To impose an embargo on the supply of oil and petroleum products;

(c)        To prohibit the import of coal, gold, strategic minerals and agricultural products from South Africa and Namibia;

(d)        To induce transnational corporations, banks and financial institutions to withdraw effectively from South Africa and prevent them from:

(i)         Investing in South Africa and Namibia;

(ii)        Supplying directly or indirectly materials and technology to South Africa and Namibia;

(iii)       Engaging in commercial transactions with South Africa;

(iv)       Granting loans and credits to South Africa;

(e)        To take appropriate measures to ensure the effectiveness of the sports and cultural boycott of the racist regime of South Africa;

2.         Further urges all States to monitor strictly the implementation of the above measures and impose penalties on individuals and enterprises within their jurisdiction that are involved in violating them;

3.         Encourages States to ratify the International Convention against Apartheid in Sports;

4.         Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the General Assembly at its forty-third session on measures taken by States and on their implementation.

C Comprehensive and mandatory sanctions against the racist regime of South Africa

The General Assembly,

Recalling and reaffirming its resolution 41/35 B of 10 November 1986,

Recalling its resolutions and those of the Security Council calling for concerted international action to force the racist regime of South Africa to eradicate apartheid,

Having considered the report of the Special Committee against Apartheid, in particular paragraphs 138 to 150, and the Declaration adopted by the World Conference on Sanctions against South Africa,

Gravely concerned at the continuing defiance by the apartheid regime of the will of the international community, the regime's provocative non-compliance with resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly, its escalating terror against the people of South Africa, its continuing illegal occupation of Namibia, and its acts of military aggression and political and economic destabilization against independent African States,

Expressing serious concern at the continued violation of the arms embargo against South Africa,

1.         Reaffirms that apartheid is a crime against humanity and a threat to international peace and security, and that it is a primary responsibility of the United Nations to assist in efforts to eliminate apartheid without further delay;

2.         Decides once again that the imposition of comprehensive and mandatory sanctions by the Security Council under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations would be the most appropriate, effective and peaceful means to bring apartheid to an end and to discharge the responsibilities of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security, which are threatened and violated by the apartheid regime;

3.         Urgently requests the Security Council, therefore, to take immediate action under Chapter VII of the Charter with a view to applying comprehensive and mandatory sanctions against the racist regime of South Africa and urges the Governments of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and others that are opposed to the application of comprehensive and mandatory sanctions to reassess their policies and cease their opposition to the application of such sanctions by the Security Council;

4.         Urges the Security Council to strengthen the mandatory arms embargo imposed by its resolutions 418 (1977) of 4 November 1977 and 558 (1984) of 13 December 1984 in order to bring to an end the continued violations of the arms embargo.

D Relations between Israel and South Africa

The General Assembly,

Reaffirming its resolutions on relations between Israel and South Africa, in particular resolution 41/35 C of 10 November 1986,

Having considered the special report of the Special Committee against Apartheid on recent developments concerning relations between Israel and South Africa,

Noting the measures recently announced by the Government of Israel concerning its relations with South Africa,

1.         Calls upon Israel to desist from and terminate forthwith all forms of military, nuclear, intelligence, economic and other collaboration, particularly its long-term contracts for military supplies to South Africa;

2.         Further calls upon Israel to abide scrupulously by the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and of the Security Council;

3.         Requests the Special Committee against Apartheid to continue to monitor developments in the relations of Israel with South Africa, including the implementation of the measures recently announced by Israel;

4.         Further requests the Special Committee to keep the matter under constant review and to report thereon to the General Assembly and the Security Council as appropriate.

E Programme of work of the Special Committee against Apartheid

The General Assembly,

Having considered the report of the Special Committee against Apartheid,

1.         Commends the Special Committee against Apartheid for its work in the discharge of its responsibilities, in particular the promotion of international action against apartheid;

2.         Duly takes note of the report of the Special Committee and endorses the recommendations contained in paragraph 150 of the report relating to its programme of work;

3.         Decides to make a special allocation of $390,000 to the Special Committee for 1988 from the regular budget of the United Nations to cover the cost of special projects to be decided upon by the Committee;

4.         Requests Governments and organizations to provide financial and other assistance for the special projects of the Special Committee and to make generous contributions to the Trust Fund for Publicity against Apartheid;

5.         Appeals to all Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, information media and individuals to co-operate with the Centre against Apartheid and the Department of Public Information of the Secretariat in disseminating information on the deteriorating situation in South Africa in order to mitigate the effects of the restraints on the press in South Africa and to effectively counteract South African propaganda.

F Oil embargo against South Africa

The General Assembly,

Having considered the report of the Intergovernmental Group to Monitor the Supply and Shipping of Oil and Petroleum Products to South Africa,

Recalling its resolutions on an oil embargo against South Africa, in particular resolution 41/35 F of 10 November 1986,

Noting that, while oil-exporting States have committed themselves to an oil embargo against South Africa, very few major shipping States have done so,

Concerned that the racist regime of South Africa has been able to circumvent the oil embargoes and comparable measures adopted by States,

Commending action taken by labour unions, student groups and anti-apartheid organizations against companies involved in the violation of the oil embargo against South Africa, and for the enforcement of the embargo,

Convinced that an effective oil embargo against South Africa would complement the arms embargo against the apartheid regime, and serve to curtail both its acts of aggression against the front-line States and its repression of the peoples of South Africa and Namibia,

1.         Takes note of the report of the Intergovernmental Group to Monitor the Supply and Shipping of Oil and Petroleum Products to South Africa;

2.         Again urges the Security Council to take action without further delay to impose a mandatory embargo on the supply and shipping of oil and petroleum products to South Africa as well as the supply of equipment and technology to its oil industry and coal liquefaction projects;

3.         Requests all States concerned, pending a decision by the Security Council, to adopt effective measures and/or legislation to broaden the scope of the oil embargo in order to ensure the complete cessation of the supply and shipping of oil and petroleum products to South Africa and Namibia, whether directly or indirectly, and in particular:

(a)        To apply strictly the "end users" clause and other conditions concerning restriction on destination to ensure compliance with the embargo;

(b)        To compel the companies originally selling or purchasing oil or petroleum products, as appropriate to each nation, to desist from selling, reselling or otherwise transferring oil and petroleum products to South Africa and Namibia, whether directly or indirectly;

(c)        To establish strict control over the supply of oil and petroleum products to South Africa and Namibia by intermediaries, oil companies and traders by placing responsibility for the fulfilment of the contract on the first buyer or seller of oil and petroleum products who would, therefore, be liable for the actions of these parties;

(d)        To prevent access by South Africa to other sources of energy, including the supply of raw materials, technical know-how, financial assistance and transport;

(e)        To prohibit all assistance to apartheid South Africa, including the provision of finance, technology, equipment or personnel for the prospecting, development or production of hydrocarbon resources, the construction or operation of oil-from-coal plants or the development and operation of plants producing fuel substitutes and additives such as ethanol and methanol;

(f)         To prevent South African corporations from maintaining or expanding their holdings in oil companies or properties outside South Africa;

(g)        To terminate the transport of oil to South Africa by ships flying their flags, or by ships that are ultimately owned, managed or chartered by their nationals or by companies within their jurisdiction;

(h)        To develop a system for registration of ships, registered or owned by their nationals, that have unloaded oil in South Africa in contravention of embargoes imposed;

(i)         To impose penal action against companies and individuals that have been involved in violating the oil embargo;

(j)         To gather, exchange and disseminate information regarding violations of the oil embargo;

4.         Requests the Intergovernmental Group to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-third session a report on the implementation of the present resolution, including a proposal for the strengthening of the mechanism to monitor the supply and shipment of oil and petroleum products to South Africa;

5.         Requests all States to extend their co-operation to the Intergovernmental Group in the implementation of the present resolution;

6.         Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Intergovernmental Group with all necessary assistance for the implementation of the present resolution.

G Concerted international action for the elimination of apartheid The General Assembly,

Alarmed by the aggravation of the situation in South Africa caused by the policy of apartheid, and in particular by the continuation of the nation-wide state of emergency,

Convinced that the root-cause of the crisis in southern Africa is the policy of apartheid,

Noting with grave concern that in order to perpetuate apartheid in South Africa the authorities there have increasingly committed acts of aggression and breaches of the peace,

Convinced that only the total eradication of apartheid and the establishment of majority rule on the basis of the free and fair exercise of universal adult suffrage can lead to a peaceful and lasting solution in South Africa,

Noting that the so-called reforms in South Africa have the effect of further entrenching the apartheid system and further dividing the people of South Africa,

Recognizing that the policy of bantustanization deprives the majority of the people of their citizenship and makes them foreigners in their own country,

Recognizing the responsibility of the United Nations and the international community to take all necessary action for the eradication of apartheid, and, in particular, the need for increased and effective pressure on the South African authorities as a peaceful means of achieving the abolition of apartheid,

Encouraged, in this context, by the growing international consensus, as demonstrated by the adoption of Security Council resolution 569 (1985) of 26 July 1985, and the increase in and expansion of national, regional and intergovernmental measures to this end,

Taking note of the Declaration adopted by the World Conference on Sanctions against Racist South Africa,

Convinced of the vital importance of the strict observance of Security Council resolution 418 (1977) of 4 November 1977, by which the Council instituted a mandatory arms embargo against South Africa, and Council resolution 558 (1984) of 13 December 1984 concerning the import of arms, ammunition and military vehicles produced in South Africa, and of the need to make these embargoes fully effective in conformity with Council resolution 591 (1986) of 28 November 1986,

Commending the national policies not to sell and export oil to South Africa,

Considering that measures to ensure effective and scrupulous implementation of such embargoes through international co-operation are essential and urgent,

Taking note, in this respect, of the efforts undertaken by the Intergovernmental Group to Monitor the Supply and Shipping of Oil and Petroleum Products to South Africa,

Noting with deep concern that, through a combination of military and economic pressures, in violation of international law, the authorities of South Africa have increasingly resorted to economic reprisals and aggression against, and destabilization of, the neighbouring States,

Considering that contacts between apartheid South Africa and the front-line and other neighbouring States, necessitated by geography, colonial legacy and other reasons, should not be used by other States as a pretext for legitimizing the apartheid system or justifying attempts to break the international isolation of that system,

Convinced that the existence of apartheid will continue to lead to ever-increasing resistance by the oppressed people, by all possible means, and increased tension and conflict that will have far-reaching consequences for southern Africa and the world,

Convinced that policies of collaboration with the apartheid regime, instead of respect for the legitimate aspirations of the genuine representatives of the great majority of the people, will encourage its repression and aggression against neighbouring States and its defiance of the United Nations,

Expressing its full support for the legitimate aspiration of African States and peoples, and of the Organization of African Unity, for the total liberation of the continent of Africa from colonialism and racism,

1.         Strongly condemns the policy of apartheid which deprives the majority of the South African population of their citizenship, fundamental freedoms and human rights;

2.         Strongly condemns the South African authorities for the killings, arbitrary mass arrests and detention of members of mass organizations as well as of individuals, the overwhelming majority of whom belong to the majority population, who oppose the apartheid system and the state of emergency, and for the detention of and use of violence against children;

3.         Further condemns the overt and the covert aggressive actions, which South Africa has increasingly carried out for the destabilization of neighbouring States, as well as those aimed against refugees from South Africa and Namibia;

4.         Demands that the authorities of South Africa:

(a)        Release immediately and unconditionally Nelson Mandela and all other political prisoners, detainees and restrictees;

(b)        Immediately lift the state of emergency;

(c)        Abrogate discriminatory laws and lift bans on all organizations and individuals, as well as end restrictions on and censorship of news media;

(d)        Grant freedom of association and full trade union rights to all workers of South Africa;

(e)        Initiate without pre-conditions a political dialogue with genuine leaders of the majority population with a view to eradicating apartheid without delay and establishing a representative government;

(f)         Eradicate the bantustan structures;

(g)        Immediately withdraw all their troops from southern Angola and end the destabilization of front-line and other States;

5.         Urges the Security Council to consider without delay the adoption of effective mandatory sanctions against South Africa;

6.         Further urges the Security Council to take steps for the strict implementation of the mandatory arms embargo instituted by it in resolution 418 (1977) and of the arms embargo requested in its resolution 558 (1984) and, within the context of the relevant resolutions, to secure an end to military and nuclear co-operation with South Africa and the import of military equipment or supplies from South Africa;

7.         Appeals to all States that have not yet done so, pending mandatory sanctions by the Security Council, to consider national legislative or other appropriate measures to increase the pressure on the apartheid regime of South Africa, such as:

(a)        Cessation of further investment in, and financial loans to, South Africa;

(b)        An end to all promotion of and support for trade with South Africa;

(c)        Prohibition of the sale of krugerrand and all other coins minted in South Africa;

(d)        Cessation of all forms of military, police or intelligence co-operation with the authorities of South Africa, in particular the sale of computer equipment;

(e)        An end to nuclear collaboration with South Africa;

(f)         Cessation of export and sale of oil to South Africa;

8.         Appeals to all States, organizations and institutions recognizing the pressing need, existing and potential, of South Africa's neighbouring States for economic assistance:

(a)        To increase assistance to the front-line States and the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference in order to increase their economic strength and independence from South Africa;

(b)        To increase humanitarian, legal, educational and other such assistance and support to the victims of apartheid, to the liberation movements recognized by the Organization of African Unity and to all those struggling against apartheid and for a non-racial, democratic society in South Africa;

9.         Appeals to all Governments and organizations to take appropriate action for the cessation of all academic, cultural, scientific and sports relations that would support the apartheid regime of South Africa, as well as relations with individuals, institutions and other bodies endorsing or based on apartheid;

10.       Commends the States that have already adopted voluntary measures against the apartheid regime of South Africa in accordance with General Assembly resolution 40/64 I of 10 December 1985 and invites those which have not yet done so to follow their example;

11.       Reaffirms the legitimacy of the struggle of the oppressed people of South Africa for the total eradication of apartheid and for the establishment of a non-racial, democratic society in which all the people, irrespective of race, colour or creed, enjoy fundamental freedoms and human rights;

12.       Pays tribute to and expresses solidarity with organizations and individuals struggling against apartheid and for a non-racial, democratic society in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

13.       Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its forty-third session on the implementation of the present resolution.

H United Nations Trust Fund for South Africa

The General Assembly,

Recalling its earlier resolutions on the United Nations Trust Fund for South Africa, in particular resolution 41/35 G of 10 November 1986,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Trust Fund for South Africa, to which is annexed the report of the Committee of Trustees of the Trust Fund,

Gravely concerned at the tightening of the nation-wide state of emergency and security regulations which criminalize and stifle political dissent and protest,

Increasingly alarmed by the continued repression of leaders of democratic political mass organizations, community and church leaders, trade unionists, students, young people and children through political trials, detention without charge or trial and severe sentences, including the death penalty,

Reaffirming that increased humanitarian and legal assistance by the international community to those persecuted under repressive and discriminatory legislation in South Africa and Namibia is more than ever necessary to meet the rapidly increasingly needs for such assistance,

Strongly convinced that increased contributions to the Trust Fund and to the voluntary agencies concerned are necessary to enable them to meet the growing needs for humanitarian and legal assistance,

1.         Endorses the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Trust Fund for South Africa;

2.         Expresses its appreciation to the Governments, organizations and individuals that have contributed to the Trust Fund and to the voluntary agencies engaged in rendering humanitarian and legal assistance to the victims of apartheid and racial discrimination;

3.         Appeals for generous and increased contributions to the Trust Fund;

4.         Also appeals for direct contributions to the voluntary agencies engaged in rendering assistance to the victims of apartheid and racial discrimination in South Africa and Namibia;

5.         Commends the Secretary-General and the Committee of Trustees of the United Nations Trust Fund for South Africa for their persistent efforts to promote humanitarian and legal assistance to persons persecuted under repressive and discriminatory legislation in South Africa and Namibia, as well as assistance to their families and to refugees from South Africa.