Amnesty International USA testimony about the human rights situation in South Africa to the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittees on Africa and International Economic Policy and Trade. Four areas are highlighted: 1) the alleged complicity of the security forces in killings and other acts of violence against anti-apartheid activists, members and supporters of the African National Congress (ANC) or allied organizations during the last five years of political conflict, notably in the provinces of Natal and the Transvaal; 2) the abdication of responsibility for the human rights situation in the nominally independent "homelands" despite serious human rights abuses which have occurred...
Amnesty International USA testimony about the human rights situation in South Africa to the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittees on Africa and International Economic Policy and Trade. Four areas are highlighted: 1) the alleged complicity of the security forces in killings and other acts of violence against anti-apartheid activists, members and supporters of the African National Congress (ANC) or allied organizations during the last five years of political conflict, notably in the provinces of Natal and the Transvaal; 2) the abdication of responsibility for the human rights situation in the nominally independent "homelands" despite serious human rights abuses which have occurred particularly in Bophuthatswana and Ciskei; 3) the retention and continuing use of legislation permitting extended incommunicado detention without charge or trial despite claims of significant reform; and 4) the failure of the authorities to investigate thoroughly and impartially allegations of torture and murder by police and other members of the security forces, and to bring to justice those who are responsible. Recent revelations have shown that the South African police have been using significant amounts of covert funds to finance political activities of Chief Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi's Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) which has been locked in a murderous conflict with the African National Congress (ANC). Faced with the publication of incontrovertible evidence, government representatives have acknowledged that the transferal of funds was authorized by the State President and number of senior Cabinet Ministers. The pattern of abuses which Amnesty International has documented suggest that these abuses are not aberrations or isolated incidents of renegade police officers, but may be a reflection of a systemic problem resulting from government policies. The statement also mentions political prisoners, extrajudicial execution, deaths in detention, and the UN. Special Rapporteur on Torture.
