Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners observed; immediate release of all such detainees asked.

Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners observed; immediate release of all such detainees asked

On 11 October, the Special Committee against Apartheid observed the Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners, marking the anniversary of the call by the General Assembly in 1963 for unconditional release by South Africa of all persons imprisoned, interned or subjected to other restrictions for their opposition to apartheid. The Day of Solidarity was designated in 1976 by the General Assembly.

Assembly President Jaime de Pinies (Spain), in a message he sent to Nelson Mandela, called for the immediate release of all political prisoners in South Africa. He also stated he had renewed his solidarity as Assembly President with the people of South Africa. Mr. Mandela, he said, had become a "symbol of determination and strength for the South African people'.

Security Council President Vernon Walters (United States) expressed the Council's deep concern about the detention of political prisoners in South Africa.

Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar said that at no other time during the South African crisis had the issue of political prisoners been so closely interwoven with prospects for a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the conflict. In March, the Security Council had unanimously called on Pretoria to release unconditionally all political prisoners, and to enter into consultations with all segments of the population.

He himself had appealed to South Africa to heed that call and to implement those essential first steps in a peaceful process to dismantle the system of apartheid and to establish a nonracial and united society. Far-sighted and organized forces within South Africa itself were now pressing the Government for negotiations with the genuine and recognized leaders of the oppressed people of South Africa, many of whom, like Mr. Mandela, had been languishing in jail for long years.

Joseph N. Garba (Nigeria), Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid, said that since the imposition of the state of emergency on 21 July, more than 3,500 people had been detained "for the crime of opposing apartheid'. At least 200 people had died because of police violence. Hundreds had been tortured. A few days ago, Dr. Wendy Orr, district surgeon, reported to the Eastern Cape Supreme Court on "overwhelming evidence' confirming systematic assault and abuse of detainees by police.

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