In testimony before a briefing facilitated by the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, Brutus reports that, in South Africa, repression has become more brutal as resistance has increased. Nevertheless, the apartheid government has succeeded in giving the false impression that conditions have improved, largely by use of misinformation, disinformation, and suppression of information. Under the State of Emergency, severe restrictions have been placed on the media, leading to a significant decrease in the amount of information available outside South Africa. The testimony says approximately 30,000 people have been detained under a State of Emergency first declared in June, 1987 and again in June,...
In testimony before a briefing facilitated by the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, Brutus reports that, in South Africa, repression has become more brutal as resistance has increased. Nevertheless, the apartheid government has succeeded in giving the false impression that conditions have improved, largely by use of misinformation, disinformation, and suppression of information. Under the State of Emergency, severe restrictions have been placed on the media, leading to a significant decrease in the amount of information available outside South Africa. The testimony says approximately 30,000 people have been detained under a State of Emergency first declared in June, 1987 and again in June, 1988; over 500 South African detainees are currently detained without charge or trial. Brutus says that conscientious objectors are being imprisoned. More than 18 individuals have been banned, including prominent leaders and officials of banned organizations. A recent trial for treason of 22 defendants, most of whom were connected were connected with the United Democratic Front (UDF), ended in December, 1988; 11 of the defendants were convicted. Thousands of children have been jailed, detained, or banned, and a series of activities has been launched by U.S. churches to develop support for the movement activists, to plead on behalf of children, and to push for passage of S507, the Dellums / Simon Comprehensive Sanctions Bill Against South Africa. Brutus says he will send his testimony to State President P.W. Botha and Ambassador Piet Koornhof. The testimony mentions F.W. de Klerk, administrative detention, bannings of individuals and organizations, divestment, sanctions, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), the Minister of Law and Order, the Detainees' Parents Support Committee, the National Detainees' Forum, the death penalty, the Sharpeville 6, Zwelakhe Sisulu, New Nation Newspaper published by the South African Bishops' Conference, "South Africa Now," and Amnesty International.
