African Activist Archive

Mailing seeking contributions for the work of the Southern Africa Project. The letter tells anecdotes of South African children being abducted and treated brutally by the Security Police during the State of Emergency. Since June 12, 1986, when the present State of Emergency was declared, over 10,000 children and over 20,000 adults, leaders in trade unions, churches, women's organizations, civic associations, and anti-apartheid groups have been detained without charge or trial. The offices of many of these organizations have been ransacked and firebombed, and the homes of many of these individuals have been invaded during the night. A policy of "maximum force" has been instituted by the security forces; mobile torture squads cruise the streets, and children have become the targets of a desperate regime. There are things that are being done to protect black South Africans from police round-ups, illegal detention, and torture; to help anti-apartheid activists get the legal representation they need; and to challenge the totalitarian powers of the police under the State of Emergency. The Southern Africa Project of the Lawyers' Committee is the only U.S. group that provides direct assistance to the defense of political prisoners in South Africa. It hires lawyers to defend them, pays legal and court fees for their defense, and supplies a broad range of technical assistance to these lawyers, including expert witnesses, forensic scientists, and legal research. Political detentions are rising to unprecedented levels, and courtroom costs continue to soar. So increased support is needed. The mailing mentions Archie Velile Mkele, Mzwanele Philip Xala, Steve Biko, Neil Aggett, black political and trade union organizations, and the Magopa people.

African Activist Archive

["Police took me to the 'dark' room ... 86 lashes to my body ... poured a can of petrol over me ....]

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