TNAG-1151-FCO40-1431-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-United-Nations-1983 — Page 126

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE

DECLARATION CONCERNING THE POLICY OF APARTHEID IN SOUTH AFRICA'

The General Conference of the International Labour Organisation, Recalling the Declaration unanimously adopted by the Conference on 8 July 1964 concerning the Policy of Apartheid of the Republic of South Africa,

Considering that all Members of the ILO have, by the Declaration of Philadelphia embodied in the Constitution as a statement of the aims and purposes of the Organisation, solemnly affirmed that "all human beings, irrespective of race, creed or sex, have the right to pursue both their material well-being and their spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security and equal opportunity”,

Considering that according to its Constitution the ILO exists for the promotion of the objectives set forth in the Preamble thereto and in the Declaration of Philadelphia,

Considering that the Government of South Africa, having failed to co-operate in promoting the objectives set forth in the Preamble to the Constitution and in the Declaration of Philadelphia, adopted and is practising the inhuman policy of apartheid, which is wholly incompatible with the aims and principles of the Declaration of Philadelphia, thus creating an alarming situation, further aggravated by the extension of the apartheid system into Namibia through the illegal occupation of that territory by South Africa, incurred the condemnation of the International Labour Conference and was led to withdraw from the Organisation by virtue of a communication dated 11 March 1964,

Considering that according to the Declaration of Philadelphia the principles set forth therein are fully applicable to all peoples everywhere and their implementa- tion is a matter of concern to the whole world,

Considering that apartheid has been declared a crime against humanity and that the Security Council of the United Nations, since its Resolution 182 (1963) adopted unanimously on 4 December 1963, has affirmed the conviction that the situation in South Africa is seriously disturbing international peace and security,

Considering the programme for the elimination of apartheid in labour matters in South Africa adopted in 1964 and subsequent measures to give effect to the ILO's determination to eradicate apartheid, including the annual Special Reports of the Director-General on Apartheid in South Africa, the expansion of the activities of the International Labour Office in this field, the 1971 Conference resolution concerning apartheid and the contribution of the International Labour Organisation to the International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination; the report of the Tripartite Meeting of Members of the Governing Body held in May 1980; and the report of the Committee on Apartheid set up by the Conference in June 1980,

Considering especially the Report of the International Tripartite Meeting on Action against Apartheid held at Livingstone in May 1981, which recognised that the solution to the problem of apartheid must take into account the political implications of that system and went on to recommend specific action for the elimination of apartheid,

Sharing the growing concern of the international community at the deteriora- tion of the situation in South Africa under apartheid and the need for action thereon, as shown in the Programme of Action adopted at the United Nations General Assembly and in subsequent resolutions and instruments adopted by that

This Declaration, adopted by the International Labour Conference on 18 June 1981, updates the Declaration concerning the Policy of Apartheid of the Republic of South Africa which was adopted in 1964.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE GENEVA, 1981

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ANNEX I