S/16791 SC

The Security Council, Reaffirming the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, particularly article 21, paragraphs 1 and 3, which recognize the right of everyone to take part in the Government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives, and the will of the people as the basis of the authority of Government, Alarmed by the aggravation of the situation in South Africa, and in particular the brutal repression of the black population, the wanton killing and the maiming of demonstrators and workers, Gravely concerned over the continuing arbitrary arrests of leaders and activists of mass organizations and detentions inside the country, as well as the closure of several schools and universities; Commending the massive united resistance by hundreds of thousands of the oppressed people of South Africa against the imposition of the so-called "new constitution", and their large-scale boycott of the recent "elections" which constituted a clear rejection of the so-called "new constitution"; Reaffirming the legitimacy of the right to self-determination of the oppressed people of South Africa for the full exercise of their right in establishing a non-racial democratic society in an unfragmented South Africa. Convinced that the imposition of the so-called "new constitution" of racist South Africa will inevitably lead to further escalation of the explosive situation and will have far-reaching consequences for southern Africa and the world, 1. Reiterates its condemnation of the South African regime's apartheid as a crime against humanity; further condemns the continued arbitrary arrest and detention of leaders and activists of mass organizations; 2. Demands the immediate cessation of the massacres and the prompt release of all political prisoners and detainees; 3. Reaffirms that only the total eradication of apartheid and the establishment of a non-racial democratic society based on the majority rule, through the full and free exercise of adult suffrage by all the people in a united and unfragmented South Africa, can lead to a just, equitable and lasting solution of the situation in South Africa; 4. Urges all Governments and organizations to take appropriate action, in cooperation with the United Nations, to assist the oppressed people of South Africa in their legitimate struggle for the full exercise of the right to self-determination; 5. Demands the immediate eradication of apartheid as the necessary step toward the full exercise of the right to self-determination in an unfragmented South Africa, and to this end demands: (a) The dismantling of the bantustan structures as well as the cessation of uprooting and denationalization of the indigenous African people; (b) The abrogation of the bans and restrictions on political organizations and news media opposed to apartheid; (c) The unimpeded return of all the exiles; 6. Requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of the present resolution; 7. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

UN Project. “S/16791.” UN Project, https://un-project.org/votes/resolution/S-16791/. Accessed .

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