GA/AP/828, RD/61, 21 March 1978
Leslie O. Harriman, Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid, has sent the following message to the Director-General of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Amadou-Mahtar M'Bow:
I find it most appropriate that UNESCO is holding a ceremony to launch the International Anti-Apartheid Year. For, apartheid is not only a political problem and source of a serious threat to peace, but a negation of all the principles and values cherished by humanity and enshrined in the Constitution of UNESCO. The apartheid regime, in its criminal attempt to turn history back and consolidate the system of neo-slavery, has manipulated education of black people. It has persecuted the best writers and journalists and established an enormous list of banned publications. It has tried to reimpose tribalism and to prevent advancement of black people.
Racial discrimination and segregation and repression in South Africa take a daily toll of unimaginable proportions. Apartheid and the apartheid regime are the greatest enemies of civilization and culture. It is therefore not surprising that UNESCO was the first international organization from which the Pretoria regime excluded itself, now that UNESCO has assumed an important role in the struggle against apartheid.
The Special Committee regards the International Anti-Apartheid Year as an occasion for all Governments and organizations to concert action to destroy apartheid in all its manifestations. This is a struggle to close the shameful era of slavery, colonialism and racism in human history. It is a struggle to build a new world order based above all on dignity and equality of all human beings. In this struggle UNESCO has a crucial role to play.
I commend UNESCO for accepting this challenge and for your co-operation with the United Nations and its Special Committee against Apartheid.