[Adopted by the Asian Regional Conference for Action against Apartheid, held in Manila, Republic of the Philippines, from 24 to 26 May 1982]

The Asian Regional Conference for Action against Apartheid was held in Manila, Republic of the Philippines, from 24 to 26 May 1982, under the sponsorship of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid in co-operation with the Government of the Philippines. Governments and organisations in Asia and Oceania were invited to the Conference and held consultations with the representatives of the Special Committee and the national liberation movements of South Africa and Namibia on the present grave situation in southern Africa and the means to promote effective international action to secure national liberation, freedom, human dignity and peace.

The Conference declares on behalf of all its participants, as follows:

1. The Conference recognises that apartheid is a crime against the oppressed people of South Africa and Namibia and, indeed, against all humanity.

   It pays tribute to the oppressed people of South Africa and their national liberation movement for their long and heroic struggle for the elimination of all forms of racism and for the exercise of the right of self-determination by all the people of the country as a whole irrespective of race, colour or creed.

   It recognises the legitimacy of that struggle and declares that the international community has a special responsibility to assist the oppressed people of South Africa and their national liberation movements.

2. The Conference declares that apartheid must be totally eradicated. No "reform" or mitigation of racist domination can be accepted.
3. The Conference pays tribute to the people of Namibia for their valiant struggle for genuine national independence. It affirms the special responsibility of the United Nations for the Territory and people of Namibia. It fully supports the efforts of SWAPO and the frontline States towards the genuine independence of Namibia and denounces the manoeuvres of the South African regime to delay and frustrate the implementation of the United Nations plan for the independence of Namibia.
4. The Conference recognises that the oppressed people of South Africa and Namibia have a right to choose their means of struggle for liberation. In the face of the brutal repression against the oppressed people and their national liberation movements by the Pretoria regime and its intransigence and defiance of the international community, the oppressed people have had no choice but to resort to armed struggle. The Conference declares that the apartheid regime bears total responsibility for the conflict.

   At the same time, it recognises that the international community has a duty to support the legitimate struggle of the South African people and assist it in destroying apartheid by exerting sufficient pressure on the racist regime through sanctions and other effective measures, so that human suffering and loss of life can at least be minimised.

5. The Conference declares that the cause of the oppressed people of South Africa and Namibia is the cause of the Governments and peoples of Asia and Oceania - as much as it is of Governments and peoples of Africa - and indeed of the international community as a whole.

   It calls on the Governments and peoples of Asia and Oceania to intensify all forms of assistance to the oppressed people of South Africa and Namibia and their national liberation movements, in close co-operation with the Organisation of African Unity.

6. The Conference condemns the acts of aggression, sabotage, terrorism and destabilisation committed by the Pretoria regime against independent African States, especially the front-line States, and considers that the situation constitutes a grave threat to international peace and security.

   It calls upon the international community to take effective action to stop the constant breaches of the peace, and to provide all necessary assistance to the front-line States.

7. The Conference notes with grave concern that the South African regime, which has tremendously expanded its military establishment since 1960, has embarked on a further expansion this year.

   Its efforts to become integrated in the overall Western defence and security system in the southern oceans, if successful, will present very grave dangers for the peace and security of the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean areas. The Conference urges all States in the region to exercise maximum vigilance and exert all their influence to ensure that South Africa’s designs in this regard are not fulfilled.

   The Conference is alarmed that despite South Africa’s known nuclear-weapon capability, several Governments are continuing and some even expanding their nuclear collaboration with that country. It calls for immediate and total cessation of all nuclear collaboration with South Africa.

8. The Conference condemns any and all attempts to complicate the just struggle of the oppressed people of South Africa and Namibia by "cold war" and other external conflicts, and thereby provide encouragement and assistance to the racist regime of South Africa.

   It emphasises the need for the full implementation of the United Nations mandatory arms embargo against South Africa; the effective enforcement of the embargoes imposed by oil-exporting States to prevent supplies of oil to South Africa; cessation of loans to and investments in South Africa and the implementation of the other economic measures recommended by the United Nations; and the implementation of sports, cultural and other boycotts against South Africa.

9. Having reviewed the actions taken by Governments and organisations in Asia and Oceania against apartheid, the Conference strongly condemns the authorities in Israel and Taiwan for their growing economic, military and especially nuclear collaboration with the racist regime of South Africa.
10. The Conference recognises the importance of public awareness and public action in support of the struggle for liberation in South Africa and Namibia.

    It commends the actions taken by anti-apartheid groups, trade unions, women’s and students’ organisations and others in this respect, and especially the public campaigns organised in New Zealand in support of the sports boycott of South Africa.

    It urges greater support to all such activities.

11. The Conference appeals to mass media to publicise the situation in South Africa and Namibia, and to mobilise public opinion against apartheid.
12. The Conference pledges the full solidarity of Asia and Oceania with Africa for the total emancipation of the continent of Africa.
13. The Conference commends the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid and the Centre against Apartheid for their dedicated efforts to promote international action for the liberation of South Africa.