GA/AP/595, September 20, 1976
Following is the text of a letter dated 9 September, addressed to all United Nations Member States by Leslie O. Harriman, Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid:
The Special Committee against Apartheid has the honour to draw the attention of all governments and organizations to the urgent need for increased assistance to the oppressed people of South Africa and their liberation movements.
It may be recalled that in resolution 3411 G(XXX), adopted on 10 December 1975, the General Assembly appealed to all States and organizations "to provide all assistance required by the oppressed people of South Africa and their national liberation movements during their legitimate struggle, in the light of the recommendations of the Special Committee against Apartheid".
Since that time, faced with growing international opposition to its criminal apartheid policies, the South African regime has resorted to wanton killings and maimings of African school children and others, and to massive repression against all opponents of apartheid. The oppressed people of South Africa have launched a nation-wide uprising for the eradication of apartheid and the attainment of freedom.
In this situation, there is an urgent need for a great increase in humanitarian assistance to the victims of repression, as well as assistance to the oppressed people and their liberation movements for intensifying their legitimate struggle for freedom. The Special Committee believes that the United Nations and the international community have a duty to provide such assistance as an act of solidarity with the South African people for whom they have accepted special responsibility.
The Special Committee notes that the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, at its 27th Ordinary Session held in Port Louis, Mauritius, from 24 June to 3 July 1976, resolved to extend maximum political, economic and military assistance to the liberation movements in South Africa.
The Fifth Conference of the Heads of State and Government of Non-aligned countries, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in August 1976 called on all States and organizations to increase assistance to the oppressed people of South Africa and their liberation movements until they attain liberation from racist oppression. It invited all Non-aligned countries to contribute generously to the "Support and Solidarity Fund for Southern Africa", established by the Non-aligned Conference in 1973, and provided for the convening of a pledging conference during the thirty-first session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Special Committee also notes with satisfaction that a number of non-governmental organizations have taken action to increase assistance to the oppressed people of South Africa and their liberation movements.
The Special Committee trusts that Your Excellency's Government will consider generous contributions, in cash or in kind, to the relevant international funds (such as those of the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity and the Non-aligned Movement) or directly to the South African liberation movements.
The Special Committee would appreciate any information on the assistance currently provided by Your Excellency's Government, and the increases contemplated by it, as such information would greatly facilitate the discharge of the mandate of the Special Committee to promote such assistance. The Committee would appreciate it if such information can be provided, in the first instance, by United Nations Day, 24 October 1976.