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.

A study on detention and torture published by the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cape Town, based on interviews with 176 former detainees, concluded that four of every five detainees had complained of physical torture and nearly all claimed they had been psychologically abused or tortured. None of those actions, however, could be questioned in a court of law.

Until the Security Council adopted comprehensive and mandatory sanctions against the apartheid regime, all Governments and organizations should totally isolate that regime and cease all collaboration with it. Such policies as "constructive engagement' had proven futile, Mr. Garba said.

Banks asked not to reschedule or restructure Pretoria's debt

The Special Committee against Apartheid and African Member States of the United Nations have called on banks negotiating to reschedule or restructure South Africa's debt not to do so or allow South Africa any relief from the financial crisis it had brought upon the country by its actions and policies of racial discrimination, exploitation and repression.

The call was made in a 22 October message sent to the Chairmen of the various banks by Chairman Garba of the Special Committee against Apartheid.

Mr. Garba said rescheduling of the South African debt could not be considered "a normal financial transaction', and would strengthen Pretoria's ability to continue with its repression and its "obnoxious and aggressive poli-

Columbia University commended for divestment decision

The Special Committee against Apartheid has commended the Trustees of New York's Columbia University for their decision to divest from companies doing business with South Africa. In a 9 October message to Samuel I. Higginbottom, Chairman of the University Board of Trustees, Chairman Garba said the decision was "important and timely' and placed Columbia on the side of all those who favoured taking meaningful steps to bring about an end to apartheid.

Photo: South African street scene.