A/39/PV.68 General Assembly

South Africa's policies and practices which form the base of the apartheid system continue to stand in the forefront of the concerns of the United Nations. 2. Throughout its many debates on this question the General Assembly has reflected above all the extreme concern of the international community over an inhuman phenomenon whose persistence is difficult to understand. On many occasions the Assembly has also expressed its determination to go beyond the stage of simple condemnation and to fight an intolerable phenomenon with firmness and conviction, in particular meeting the challenge of those who endeavour to preserve at all costs the vestiges of a bygone era. 3. Apartheid is an affront to the conscience and values of mankind. This deplorable policy is an open violation of the fundamental principles of the Char- ter of the United Nations and of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It constitutes an arbitrary system of the segregation, repression and proscription of millions of black citizens in South Africa. 4. The vast majority of nations, given the very disturbing situation in South Africa, have for years endeavoured to compel South Africa to abandon its apartheid policy. Many times already from this rostrum Turkey has declared its resolute intention to work with other States to eliminate the abominable practice of apartheid. Despite the declarations, reso- lutions and decisions of the United Nations and the broad range of measures which it has adopted, South Africa has chosen to ignore this outburst of indigna- tion. NEW YORK 5. It would have been naive to expect South Africa to reverse or modify its racial policies overnight; but surely we could have expected a certain degree of restraint. However, what we see now is discouraging. We are witnessing a constant aggravation of the situation. 6. Let us look at certain ~spects of the situation since the thirty-eighth session of the General Assem- bly. During the last session members of the Assembly expressed concern regarding the so-caa.Led constitu- tional reforms. In effect, the South African regime had just promulgated a new racist constitution designed to divide (he population. We considered those measures to be a new manoeuvre by South Africa to divide the population of that country along racial lines. That racist constitution, approved by a referendum reserved to whites, was denounced by the Security Council in resolution 554 (1984) and by the General Assembly in resolution 38/11. Turkey. t(\- gether with the overwhelming majority of ·he oppo- nents of apartheid, fully subscribed to both resolu- tiens. 7. We may well ask if that strong reaction had any effect at all in South Africa. The answer is that South Africa once again turned a deaf ear to the general indignation. On 3 September 1984 the regime in Pretoria declared the "constitution" to be in force despite the fact that the majority of the voters concerned had boycotted the "elections" to the chambers reserved for Coloureds and Indians. Fur- thermore, everything would suggest that South Africa is stepping up the repressive nature of its legislation and maintaining its oppression of the black popula- tion in South Africa. This year, afiests and political detentions in South Africa have been very numerous. There has been a marked increase in the ilUmber of political prisoners and of detentions. In conformity with its apartheid policy, Pretoria has continued to drive populations from their lands and homes. There has been an acceleration of bantustanization follow- ing the referendum on the new "constitution". In brief, the political climate in South Africa over recent months has been characterized by brutal repression of the black population. 8. Despite ever-growing repression, opposition to apartheid has grown considerably this year, but such opposition has resulted in even more severe repres- sion. Since last summer, South Africa has been the settil'g for scenes of violence. We learned with emotion that the general strike launched on 5 No- vember in the province of Transvaal resulted in the deaths of 15 people. Such acts of violence undoubt- edly affect peace and security in southern Africa and also represent a threat to international peace and security. They call for a response and a firm reaction from the United Nations. va~ious mechani~ms wh~reby apart,ht;id is eX,ercised. "the scar~ity of effective solutions does not derive It IS clear that t~IS conscIOusness-ralslt:g contlI~ues ~o from flaws in assessment: the problems persist make. t~e publIc more aware and IS res~ltmg In because of fragmentation in the political will of the unammlty amo~g States as t~ the need dIrectly to international community. While the decision-mak- combat the polIcy of aparthezd. ing machinery and even the implementation of 10. In view of the ·stubborn resistance shown by decisions of the United Nations remain stalled, South Africa, it is clear that·we must continue to painfully negotiated formulas for consensus are consider ways and means to transform this awareness subject to a process of erosion. The practical result into practical steps within the framework of the is, very often, a lamentable retreat from the bases Charter of the United Nations. Only decisive and of understanding officially endorsed by this fo- mandatory sanctions such as those provided for in rum." [See 4th meeting, para, 90.] the Gharter c~n produce tang.i~le e:ffects. Effective 16. Brazil believes that when the Assembly consid- sanctIO~s reqUIre resolut~ partlCI~atIOn by all, Mem- ers the policies of apartheid of South Africa it should bers, smce the altern,!-tIve to .ImplementatIO!l of take into account that we are dealing with a subject peacefl;ll measl;lre;.; prOVIded fo~ l~ the Charter IS, an which, to a certain extent, reflects the difficulties escala~IOn of vIOlence and ~0t:flICt In southern ~fnc~. inherent in the role played by the United Nations in That IS w~y the great maJonty of the populatIOn I!1 the implementation of its objectives and principles. So~th Afnca curre.ntly has no alternatIve to pursUIt On the one hand, it is perfectly true that few-if of ItS struggle. ThIs struggle deserves our complete any-other subjects have been capable of gathering sympathy and total support. such unanimity of positions, an impressive chorus of 11. While reaffirming that the ·G~.~ted Nations must voices aiming at the eradication of lzpartheid. This is 5J 'P up its efforts to combat apartheid, I should like cleady the political will of the community of nations to make clear the determination of the Turkish represented here. On the other hand, however, we are Government to take all steps to put a halt to the confronted with the tragic reality endured by the apartheid policy in southen: Afri~a. TurkJsh policy is majority in South. Africa.. This reality is arti~cially that there must be no politIcal, dIplomatIc, consular, kept alIve by a wIlful reSIstance to the uneqUIvocal economic, commercial, financial, military, cultural resolutions emanating from this body. For these or other relations with the racist regime in Pretoria. reasons, the Brazilian Government expresses once \Ve are pleased to contribute, within our modest m~r~ its hope that the policies ?f. apartheid.will be fneans, to the United Nations Trust Fund for South elImm~ted and replaced by a regIme based on the Africa, to the United Nations Educational and free WIshes of the entire South African people. Training Programme ~o~ South~rn Africa an.d to the 17. As we resume this year the consideration of Trus~ Fun.d for Pubhc.lty .agalI~st, Aparthezd, ~s.a item 31 relating to the policies of apartheid in South mamfestatlon of o,ur s9hdanty WIth.the great maJon- Africa, my delegation feels it necessary to enumerate ty of the populatIon m South Afnca. a few elements which, in our opinion, should consti- 12, Turkey's traditional commitment to the inde- tute the basis of our work. pendence of all peoples in southern Africa and to 18. First there is a need to acknowledge and reject decolonization is b~sed on the principle~ on which the incre~sing repression against the majority in the Turkish Repubhc was founded, followmg the first South Africa. In fact there is a dimension of human victorious struggle f~r national independe,nce this rights that calls for o~r immediate action, in order to century. We are convmced .that the pe9ple m South prevent in the short run the spread of aggression Africa will in its turn achIeve final VIctOry, against the basic rights of the South African people. 13. Mr. MACIEL (Brazil): Brazil has consistently Brazil a~rees that it i~.ind}spensable to stre~gt~en condemned the policies of apartheid and intends to ~rogresslvely th~ mobIlIzatIOn towards the ehmma- maintain its support for all appropriate measures tIon of such an mhu~an system, s9 as to enable t~e aiming at the elimination of this cruel and unfair people ~f SOl;lth Afr~ca to e~tablIsh a democratIc political system. It is cause for concern that every SOCIety I~ WhICh al!, Irrespectlv.e of race, colour or year we are forced to restate our unanimous condem- creed, WIll freely enJoy human nghts and fundamen- nation of apartheid and to regret the persistent tal freedoms. violation by South Africa of the resolutions adopted 19. Secondly, we are convinced that apartheid by the United Nations, which are endorsed by world cannot be described only as a system that violates public opinion and effectively implemented by the human rights. The policies of apartheid have also overwhelming majority of Members of the Organiza- encouraged a vicious circle of violence that spills tion. We are grateful for the task of closely monitor- over the border of South Africa and endangers peace ing racist practices in South Africa performed by and security in the whole southern African region. both the Secretary-General and the Special Commit- We have witnessed with deep sorrow and anxiety the tee against Apartheid. building up of violence against those who have 14, The fact that we are drawing closer to the co~rageously brought to the attenti~n of the world fortieth anniversary of the United Nations without theIr ~ef~sal to accept or to comply WIth the so-call~d having assured full justice and equal treatment for conStItu~IOna! reforms e:tlready declared null and VOId the South African people requires a renewed effort by by the Secunty CouncIl and the General Assembly. the Assembly for the promotion of freedom and 20. It will always be appropriate to voice our justice in South Africa. conviction that these "constitutional reforms" are c~>I~stantly and wIth Impumt.y by the racIst Pr~tona complied with those resolutions. Foremost on the list regIme. The so-~alle~ C01}S!ItutIO~al reforms Intro- of those that disregard the will of the international duced .by th~ mmontr re~Ime thIS yea.r are but .a community and have formed bonds with the racist refl~ctIon of ItS determmatIOn to pursue.ItS apar?held regime of South Africa is the Zionist entity, which p<?lIcy and n.ew. defiance of the .clear 1OternatIonal shares the racist nature ofthe Pretoria regime, so that wIll. .The majonty ~f the popul~tIon of that country the State is made up of one ethnic group whiie all contmue to be depnved of all nghts under. the ,1a~est other members of the population are relegated to the amendments. As for thos~ whom the racIst regIme status of second-class citizens. The most recent outer call.s t~e Coloureds and ASla.n~, the r~fusal of the yast manifestation of the strong collaboration between majOr.lty of them to. pa~tIClp~t~ m the electIons this entity and the racist regime in South Africa is the org~mzed by the mmonty regIme was ~loquent co-operation that is kept secret by both but was testImony to the fact that they are n~t convmced of reflected in the recent visit of the Minister for the va~ue of the so-call~d reforms. ThIS dem<?nstra!ed Foreign Affairs of South Africa to the racist Zionist the faIlure of. th~ racls! .attempt to sow dI~sen~IO.n entity. That collaboration has been unmasked before among the majonty of cltlzen~,those whose nght I! IS the international community. It is referred to by the to rule the c~untry.The recene p~otests, accompam~d Special Committee against Apartheid in its special by acts of vIolen~e and repreSSIOn by tht:: Il?-monty report, which is full of evidence of military, nuclear, Governm~nt agams! th~ defenceless majonty, are economic, scientific, sport and cultural collaboration. confirmatIon of tha" faIlure. The conclusions in the report include the following: 59. Discrimination between the peoples of any "Despite the denials of the Government of Israel, it State and segregation on the basis of their race and continues to collaborate with the racist regime of colour by giving some of them the right to vote and South Africa as well as the bantustans, particularly in depriving others of that right, and the establishment the military and nuclear fields." [See A/39/22/Add.1, of segregated representative chambers on the basis of para. 53.] It is clear that such collaboration could Na!111bla~ and respectm~ the mdePt:ndence,. terrItOrI- African front-line countries in the defence of their al. mtegrIty and sovereIgnty of neIghbOUrIng coun- sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, trIes. against intervention by the racist regime of Pretoria, 78. The aspirations of the peoples of the southern and for their free development without any external part ofthe African continent are shared and support- interference. ed by the entire international community, which has 83. Consistently supporting the just struggle to rejected both the new measures of a diversionary liquidate apartheid and to achieve a democratic nature, such as the so-called constitutional reforms, society in South Africa, and also to ensure the and the new constitution adopted by the racist complete legal equality of all citizens of the country, authorities, as being contrary to the principles and without distinction, the Romanian people has of- ideals of the Charter of the United Nations. It has fered, and continues to offer, effective support to the also rejected the attempts of the Pretoria regime to movements of national liberation in southern Africa block the accession to independence of Namibia and which are struggling courageously to eradicate the its attempt to find an internal solution in that apartheid regime, together with its accompanying territory which is the direct responsibility of the oppression and exploitation, to liquidate also the last United Nations. vestiges of colonialism on the African continent and to affirm the just cause of liberty and progress in that 79. In our view, such a consensus on the part of the part of the world. international community should be supplemented, during the present session, by effective measures to 84. This consistent position has always been ex- eliminate the former relationships based on domina- pressed by the President of Romania in his inter- tion and subjugation, to liquidate the policy of views with leaders of other States, with leaders of apartheid and the colonial occupation of Namibia, African States and of the movements of national and to affirm the right of the people of the southern liberation in southern Africa, and has been firmly part of the African continent to free and dignified pursued within the various international organiza- development. Naturally, as an essential condition, tions. During the summit dialogue, particular atten- this would require unity of action by all States tion was given to developments in southern Africa: to Members, including those whose relations with South the normalization of relations between certain front- Africa have been used by the racist regime as an line States and the Republic of South Africa and the inducement to encourage the promotion of its poli- necessity for mobilizing international support to cies of apartheid, colonial domination and attempted ensure respect for the sovereignty, independence and expansion on the African continent. territorial integrity of the countries of that region against attempts by the Republic of South Africa to 80. The Romanian delegation has also emphasized destabilize them; and to respect by South Africa for on numerous occasions that the only realistic course, the obligations assumed by virtue of its commitments constrained by a clear political view of present to those countries. We note as significant the men- developments, the conscience of humankind and the tion made in this connection in the joint Romanian- interests of peace, would be by abrogation of the Angolan communique, concluded between the Presi- apartheid regime, an end to the colonial occupation dent of Romania, Nicolae Ceau~escu, and the Presi- ofNamibia, the cessation ofall acts of interference in dent of Angola, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, on 9 April the internal affairs of African States and the develop- 1984, relating to Uthe necessity for full respect by ment of relations with those entities based on South Africa for its commitment to withdraw its equality, respect for independence, national sover- troops from the south ofAngola, to end its support of eignty and non-interference in their internal affairs. the anti-governmental forces which are working for denatlOnal~zed throug~ the homelands polIcy.. o~n land, these Africans experience many of the 91. DespIte thes~ t~CtICS to p~rpetuate t~e suffermg dls~dvantages of alien status, such as the denial of of ~he black maJonty, the SInIster deSIgns of the entItlement to South African passports and the regll~e have .been frustrated at both t.he national and possibility of being faced with deportation orders to the InternatIOnal level. At the natIonal level, the the States of their new "nationality". But this is not groups that the so-called r~fonl~s were suppos~d to (ill. Und~r international law a State may not only appease boycotted the electIons m a show of sohdar- deport alIens, but may also refuse them admission. ~24. There IS a dIre~t. lInk between these for~Ign was the first to introduce the questIOn of the raCIst mvestments and the abIlIty to keep t~e Sou!h Afncan policy of the Union of South Africa before !he people under the yoke of th~ whIte raclst~. They assembly of the League of Nations, is a matter WhICh make it po~sible for transnatIOnal corporatIons to will in no way stand altered in the future. earn huge profits at the expense of the labour force, . which works in conditions akin to slavery, and for 131. Mr. ROSHANRAWAN (Afghamstan): Th.e Pretoria to devote an increasing proportion of its ~ost monstrous f<?rm,of raCI~m, th~ ap'arth.eld polI- national product to its military budget, as its econ- cle~ of the Pr~torIa regIme, IS. contmum~ In ~ou~h omy is constantly bolstered by contributions of Afnca, affr0!ltmg at:ld challengmg hum~mty WIth ItS foreign capital ugly, barbanc and mhuman face. Relymg on brute . . force of arms and assured of the full and constant 125. As regards the arm.s embargC?, we know that It support of their imperialist patrons, the racist circles was. adopted by the S~CUrIty CouncIl only after South of the white minority in South Africa continue to Afnc~ showed t.hat It was to a. large extent self- disregard the call ofthe international community and suffiCIent. The slIghtest weakness m the text, ~urther- the overwhelming majority of the States Members of mo~e, has been. tak~n advan!age of to prOVIde the the United Nations for dismantling the abhorrent ra~I.sts of PretorIa WIth materIal that can be used for machinery of apartheid. mIlItary purposes. . h" b . .. . 132. Based on an Ideology t at IS raCIst y ItS very 126. At th~ dlp~o~atIc .level,. to ca~ It all,. Mr. nature and in all its dimensions and manifestations, ~o!ha! ~ho m prIncIple IS. subject ~o mternatIonal the Pretoria regime is committed to ensure, by brute JunsdlctIOn, has been offiCIally receIved by several force the supremacy of South African whites over European Governments. !n that regard, we. endorse the i~digenous and Coloured majority who comprise th~ statement b~ the ChaIrman of the SpecIal Com- more than 75 per cent of the population. The puttee deno~~cmg the welcome ~xtended to the demand of the indigenous population that their leader of a regIme !hat has. placed Itself ~eyo.nd the human dignity should be respected is suppressed by a pale as far as. the mternatIonal commumty IS con- police force and an army for which hatred towards cerned. We thmk tlU\t those !3urope~~ Governments the non-white is the main requirement of duty. That were wrong to beli!\ie that, m r~celv~ng Mr. Botha, police force and army have been equipped with the t~ey had an.y cha~ceOf persuadmg hIm to abandon most advanced arms and equipment, acquired from hIS apartheid l?ohcy even gradually. In all hone~ty or built with the assistance of imperialist countries. they must admIt that they were at t~e very least bel.ng They have also acquired from the same sources the duped and that the recent events m southern Afnca most brutal methods of fighting against the uprising h~ve demonstra!e~ that the only one to benefit from of the black and Coloured population. This has hIS European VISIt was Mr. Botha. resulted in the most inhuman repression of the 127. Similarly, we cannot accept the argument that people of South Africa and the denial to milliC?ns of the so-called constitution, which ignores two thirds of human beings of the enjoyment of even pnmary the population and has been declared null and void human rights. en~oYIJ:?g human ngh!s In Spu.th Afnca and. Na~l1bla. has been pursuing the atrocious policies of apartheid It IS WIth th~ w~o~e I~penahst ~o~ld behI!1d .It t~at and racial discrimination, cruelly persecuting the the apartheld. re~Ime In Pretona .IS contInuIn~ !ts black people who make up the overwhelming major- colon!3:1 d~mlnatIOn over the Ter.nto!"y of NamIbIa, ity of South Africa's population and depriving them explOItIng ItS ~eop.le .and.plundenng. 1.tS nch natur~l of all their freedom and democratic rights in the resourc~~. AgaIn,. It IS WIth t~e pohtIcal,. econ<!~Ic political, economic, cultural, educational and all and mIlItary asslstanc~ receIved from ImpenalIs! other aspects of social life. At the same time, in Ppw~rs and f~ll<?w racI~t system~, ~uch as IsraelI defiance of the opposition of the international com- zl(~msm, t~at It IS c.arryIng.out p~rat~cal attacks on munity, it has for many years kept Namibia under its ~elghbounng countnes and IS conb~umg the occupa- illegal occupation and incessantly encroached on the tIon of southern parts of the terntory of Angola. sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbour- 144. My country, the Democratic Republic of Af- ing countries;?destabilizing the front-line African ghanistan, maintains no political, economic, com- States. South Africa's system of apartheid is a crime mercial, cultural or other relations whatsoever with against humanity and a serious threat to interna- the racist and colonialist Pretoria regime. We insist tional peace and security. categ<!~ically <?n t~e full i~position ofcomprehensive 150. In recent years the South African authorities sanctIons agaInst It,. prOVIded for under C~apter VII have intensified their customary manoeuvres of of th~ Charter ~nd In the relevant resolutIons of the political deception and military suppression, in order Secunty CouncIl and the General Assembly. to sustain and strengthen their racist rule and 145. It is the. firm belief of my Government that hoodwink wo~ld ~p~nion. The~ have ener~etically WIthout effectIve measures, concrete action and played up theIr wIllIngness to Improve raCIal rela- genuine sanctions it is impossible to bring an end to tions through constitutional reforms. Their so-called an inhuman system which all of us so much deplore. cons.titutional reforms are, in essence, aimed at In our opinion, failure to do so by any of us, no plaCIng all the ~mport~nt po~ers in the firm grip of a matter on what pret~xt, amounts to disregarding not ha~dful of whI~e raCIsts, WIth a few Coloured and only the expressed WIll of the whole of humanity and ASIans thrown In to keep up appearances, so as to the overwhelming majority of States, but also the perpetuate and legitimize the system of apartheid. Charter itself, through which all ofus have pledged to 151. Last August and September the South African e~deavour to w<?rk for the advance~ent of human authorities staged the farce ofso-called parliamentary n~ts and the I.ndependence of natIOns from the and presidential elections, despite the strong opposi- raCIst and colonIal yoke. tion of the people of South Africa. As soon as this 146.. In their struggle, under the leadership ofANC, election fraud became known, it ~et with strong to dIsmantle the monstrous apartheid system, the p.r<?test from the black masses.and wldespr~ad oppo- people of South Africa are fighting not only for their SI!IOn from the <;ol~ured, ASIans and whIte people own legitimate human rights, but for a cause which wI.th a sense of JustIce. Tens of thousands of gold all of us hold dear. Their cause is nothing less than mIners and hundreds of thousands of students went ensuring respect for human dignity and worth. In this on .strike. In the struggle against the s<?-called con.sti- noble c~use, they enjoy th~ unswerving support and tutlOnal refont:3, p~ople .of all. ethnIC gr0l:lPs and full aSSIstance of progressIve humanity all over the personages from vanous clfcles In South Afnca have world. formed broadly based mass organizations, which are . . . expanding daily in scale. 147. The correspondIng surge of mtlltancy demon- _ . strated by the people of South Africa in the face of 1'2. In t~e face of the tremendous ~eslstance o~ t.he the recent escalution of terror and repression by the South Afncan peo{'le, the Sout~ Afncan authontles apartheid regime must have proved to everybody that went so far as to ~!spatch ~asslve troops and police the brave South African people are prepared to and resort to mIlItary helIcopt~rs to suppress the continue their struggle to its glorious end. Their defenceless d~monstrators frenZIedly. Hundreds of victory is certain, the battle against evil in South people wer~ ki!led or wounded and many leaders of Africa will be won and the inhuman apartheid system mass orgamzatIons and thousands of innocent people will be dismantled. However because of our firm were arrested. The South African authorities thought beli~f in the nob~lity of .their cause, the United that they could extinguish t~e fl~mes of the people's NatIons and the InternatIonal community cannot struggle by bayonets and Impnsonment; but facts afford to fail to do everything possible to bnng closer pr~ve the contrary. Where there is opp.ression there is the victory of the people of South Africa in their reslstan.ce, and the greater the oppressIon the tou~er struggle for human rights, justice and democracy. the resIsta!1ce. The struggle of the South Afncan Throu~ unswerving determination concrete action peopl\.- agaInst the system of apartheid is deepening and JOInt efforts, we must make sure we reduce the and broadening, and no force on earth can put it human blood and te.s the shedding of which the dG~.,.n. militant people ~f South ¥~ca have so b~avely 153. Ajust cause enjoys abundant support while an acc~pted as the p~ce for attaInIng a caus~ that IS not unjust cause finds little support. The just struggle of theIrs alone, but IS shared by all mankInd. the people of South Africa has always received the 154. The Chinese Government and people have all along sympathized with and supported the people of NOTES South Africa in their just struggle against apartheid and racial discrimination. We strongly condemn the ISee A138/312, annex.