African Activist Archive

The mailing expresses concern about continuing detentions without trial that are a central weapon of apartheid's repression. Under South African law, detainees can be held in total isolation, and deliberate torture and daily brutality are common. Of the 32,000 people detained since the State of Emergency was imposed in June, 45% were reportedly between the ages of 13-18. To protest these conditions, March 12 has been declared National Detainees Day. The mailing urges people to write to the South African Government demanding the unconditional, immediate release of all detainees. An enclosed article from the Sunday Star reports that almost 300 emergency detainees, mostly in Durban and surrounding areas, are vowing to renew their hunger strike. South African lawyers, unionists, academics and human rights campaigners were joined by overseas union leaders who pledged their support until all security detainees were released. A three-week hunger strike started by about 250 detainees at Johannesburg's Diepkloof Prison spread to include 105 detainees at Port Elizabeth's St. Albans Prison. The hunger strike ended following a promise that the detainees' cases would be reviewed.

African Activist Archive

Action Alert - Detained to Death: Detainees Issue Remains Unresolved

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