Unlock Apartheid's Jails campaign mailing urges American activists to continue working to get 2,500 to 3,000 South African political prisoners out of jail. There had been hope that political prisoners would be released when the De Klerk government started talks with the African National Congress (ANC) in the spring, but the white minority regime has continually stalled on its commitment to unconditionally release the prisoners. First, they claimed that fewer than 500 prisoners qualified as "political prisoners," based on the government's having reducing political activity to criminal acts charged as "unrest crimes" such as murder, arson, assault, and violence. When charged under these common...
Unlock Apartheid's Jails campaign mailing urges American activists to continue working to get 2,500 to 3,000 South African political prisoners out of jail. There had been hope that political prisoners would be released when the De Klerk government started talks with the African National Congress (ANC) in the spring, but the white minority regime has continually stalled on its commitment to unconditionally release the prisoners. First, they claimed that fewer than 500 prisoners qualified as "political prisoners," based on the government's having reducing political activity to criminal acts charged as "unrest crimes" such as murder, arson, assault, and violence. When charged under these common law crimes, people no longer qualify for amnesty. An estimated 290 political trials were in progress at the beginning of October, and an average of 160 people were being held in detention. A growing number of cases of torture and death are still being recorded. Some South African papers have said the U.S. anti-apartheid movement is no longer relevant. People are asked to prove this wrong by joining in demanding the unconditional release of all political prisoners by Christmas day. Also, on December 10, people around the country will commemorate International Human Rights Day with special events.
