Over Two Thousand Mayors from Fifty-Four Countries Call for the Immediate Release of Nelson Mandela and Other South African Political Prisoners http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.SFF.DOCUMENT.nuun1982_18 Use of the Aluka digital library is subject to Aluka’s Terms and Conditions, available at http://www.aluka.org/page/about/termsConditions.jsp. By using Aluka, you agree that you have read and will abide by the Terms and Conditions. Among other things, the Terms and Conditions provide that the content in the Aluka digital library is only for personal, non-commercial use by authorized users of Aluka in connection with research, scholarship, and education. The content in the Aluka digital library is subject to copyright, with the exception of certain governmental works and very old materials that may be in the public domain under applicable law. 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For more information about Aluka, please see http://www.aluka.org Over Two Thousand Mayors from Fifty-Four Countries Call for the Immediate Release of Nelson Mandela and Other South African Political Prisoners Alternative title Notes and Documents - United Nations Centre Against ApartheidNo. 16/82 Author/Creator United Nations Centre against Apartheid Publisher United Nations, New York Date 1982-08-00 Resource type Reports Language English Subject Coverage (spatial) South Africa Coverage (temporal) 1982 Source Northwestern University Libraries Description A Declaration calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Nelson Mandela and other South African political prisoners detained for their political views under the apartheid laws, has now been signed by 2,225 Mayors from 54 countries. The Declaration was initiated by Mr. Michael Kelly, the Lord Provost of Glasgow, at a meeting of the Special Committee against Apartheid on 12 October 198l. The list of signatories to the Declaration is given herewith. Format extent 31 page(s) (length/size) http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.SFF.DOCUMENT.nuun1982_18 http://www.aluka.org :NTRE AGAINST :NTRE AGAINST APARTHEID :PARTMENT OF POLITICAL SECURITY COUNCIL AFFAIRS NOTES AND DOCUMENTS* No. 16/82 August 1982 OVER TWO THOUSAND MAYORS FROM FIFTY-FOUR COUNTRIES CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF NELSON MANDELA AND OTHER SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICAL PRISONERS /Note: A Declaration calling for the immediate and unconditional relei-e of Nelson Mandela and other South African political prisoners detained for their political views under the apartheid laws, has now been signed by 2,225 Mayors from 54 countries. The Declaration was initiated by Mr. Michael Kelly, the Lord Provost of Glasgow, at a meeting of the Special Committee against Apartheid on 12 October 1981. The list of signatories to the Declaration is given herewith./ 82-21634 * All material in these notes and documents may be freely reprinted. Acknowledqement. together with a copy of the publication containing the reprint, would be appreciated. CONTENTS PAGE I. Nelson Mandela: Prince among political prisoners Statement by H.E. Alhaji Yusuff Maitama-Sule, Chairman of the Special Committee Against Apartheid and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations II. Text of the Declaration I III. List of Signatures as of 30 June 1982 Cou tr Number of Signatures BAHRAIN BELGIUM BULGARIA CANADA CYPRUS CZECHOSLOVAKIA DENMARK ECUADOR EGYPT FINLAND FRANCE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC GERMANY. FEDFRAL RFPIJ1LIC nF GHANA GREECE HUNGARY INDIA INDONESIA IRAQ IRELAND ITALY JAMAICA JAPAN KENYA KUWAIT LUXEMBOURG MALAYSIA MONGOLIA NETHERLANDS NEW ZEALAND NIGERIA NORWAY PAKISTAN PHILIPPINES QATAR 443 3 3 2 138 66 28 1 1k4 -on behalf of all mayors Wherever indicated by an asterisk, the spelling of names of Mayors from certain cities and municipalities is being checked. ii CONTENTS Country Number of Signatures L ROMANIA 1 25 SENEGAL 7 25 SEYCHELLES 1 25 SRI LANKA 7 25 SUDAN 1 25 SWEDEN 5 25 TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 2 25 TURKEY 2 25 UGANDA 1 26 UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS 82 26 UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND 23 27 UNITED REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON 19 27 UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA 4 27 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 33 27 UPPER VOLTA 12 28 VIET NAM 1 28 YUGOSLAVIA 1 28 ZAMBIA 4 28 ZIMBABWE 7 28 I. NEISON MANDELA: A PRINCE AMONG POLITICAL PRISONERS Statement by H.E. Alhaji Yusuff Maitama-Sule, Chairman of the Special Comittee against Apartheid and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations on the twentieth anniversary of the arrest of Nelson Mandela (5 August). Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was arrested twenty years ago - on August 5, 1962 - for going underground to lead the campaign against the establishment of a racist republic by decision of white voters only and for leaving South Africa vithout a passport to meet the Heads of State and other leaders of newly-independent African countries. He was sentenced in November to six years imprisonment. While in prison, he vas again brought to trial as accused number one An the "R*vonia Trial" and was sentenced in June 1964 to life imprisonment. The statements he made from the dock in November 1962 and April 1964 are among the greatest documents in humanity's struggle for freedom and racial equality. Mr. Mandela told the court in November 1962: "I hate the practice of race discrimination, and in ur hatred I am sustained by the fact that the overwhelming majority of mankind hate it equally ... "Nothing that this court can do to me will change in any way that hatred in me, which can only be removed by the removal of the injustice and inhumanity which I have sought to remove from the political, social and economic life of this country." He told the court in April 1964: "During my life time I have dedicated aself to the struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunites. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and I hope to achieve. But if need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." Nelson Mandela, a descendant of a princely family in the Transkei, joined the liberation movement in 1944 as a young militant espousing a positive action programme to achieve the ideals of the Atlantic Charter. A charismatic leader, he became the volunteer-in-chief of the "Campaign of Defiance of Unjust Laws" in 1952 in which over 8,000 persons courted imprisonment. He was accused in the notorious "treason trial" of the leaders of the people from 1955 to 1961. He led the campaign against the racist republic in May 1961. When that campaign was suppressed by a massive show of force, he became the leader of Unkhonto we Sizwe ("Spear of the Nation"), the underground movement for armed struggle -2- for liberation. After twenty years in Jail, Nelson Mmndela remains the symbol of resistance and the respected leader of the people of South Africa. Ma y leaders and organizations abroad - including the United Nations, the European Parliarnt, Heads of State, parliaments, churches and trade unions - have demanded the unconditional release of Nelson Mandela and all other political prisoners. They have recognized that Nelson Mandela and his colleagues are the true leaders of the people, loyal to the cherished aspirations of humanity, vhile the rulers of South Africa practice the obnoxious policy of apartheid, a cries against humanity. They have recognized further that there can be no peaceful solution in South Africa vithout the liberation and leadership of Nelson Mandela. The Special Committee against Apartheid rill launch a vorld-vide campaign for the release of Nelson Mandela and all other South African political prisoners on the twentieth anniversary of his imprisonment. -3- II. TEXT OF THE DECLARATION I, the Mayor of am convinced of the need to bring about the end of the practice of apartheid In South Africa. I therefore appeal to the Governeat of South Africa to release immediately and unconditionally all prisoners detained fbr their political vievs under their Apartheid Las. Release of such prisoners from long years of imprisonaunt vould help bring about a spirit of reconciliation. I hereby proclaim m support and feelings of solidarity vith political detainees in South Africa and all in particular for the imediate release of Nelson Mandela. (i n d............................. ITI. LIST OF SIGNATURES Bahrain : Sheik Abdullah Bin Mohamed Alkhalifa Beldlum Aiseau-Presles, Hortent Morux; Andenne: Claude Eerdekens; Anay: Maurice Dumongh; Ans: Joseph Servais; Anthisnes: Joseph Legros; Antoing: Willy Mahleu; Antverpen: Mathilde Schroyend; Arendonk: Jozef Bouven; Ath: Guy Spitaels; Attert: J.R. Hilaire Meyer; Aubange: Rqpand Dumont; Audergahm: Lucian Outers; Aunay: Maurice Dumong; Avans: Maurice Barchy; Baelen: Pierre Wintgmns; Bastogne: Guy Lutgsn; Beauraing: Albert Demars; Beloeil: Jean Dulac; Berlaar: Frans Jozef Houben; Berloz: Jean Mahiels; Bernissart: Robert Van Ceunebroecke; Bertem: Roger J. Peeteri; Binche: Armand Le Roi; Blankenbeig: Willem Content; Plegny: Jouis Arnolis; Boortmeerbeer: August Bogaerts; Boussu: Robert Urbain; Braine l'Alleud: Enle Desirant; Braine- le-Conte; Cesar Gillis; Brakel: Wilfried Tortelboom; Brugge: Frank Van Acker; Brunehaut: Stephane Viner; Charleroi: Lucien Harmegnies; Chatelet: Thno Thussasnt; Chaumont-Bistout: Andre j ocquler; Chiny: Charles Leleu; doifontaine: Marcel Bus eau; Coblain-du- Pont: Ren6 Hubert; Cogines: Daniel Pieters; Courcelles: Oscar Mendiaux; Deurne: Maurice Dequeecker; Diest: Jean van de Kerckhef; Dilson: Theodore Snyheu; Dinant: Emile Wauthy; Dison: Yvan Ylieff; Doische: Andr6 Belot; Ecaussinnes: Marcel Jacobs; Eghzee: G.