Detention, torture and other inhuman treatment of children in South Africa.
| Publisher | UN Commission on Human Rights |
| Author | UN Commission on Human Rights (47th sess. : 1991 : Geneva) |
| Publication Date | 22 February 1991 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | E/CN.4/RES/1991/8 |
| Reference | 47 |
| Cite as | UN Commission on Human Rights, Detention, torture and other inhuman treatment of children in South Africa., 22 February 1991, E/CN.4/RES/1991/8, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3b00f0b440.html [accessed 23 May 2023] |
1991/8. Detention, torture and other inhuman treatment of children in South Africa
The Commission on Human Rights, Recalling its resolutions 1987/14 of 3 March 1987, 1988/11 of 29 February 1988, 1989/4 of 23 February 1989 and 1990/11 of 23 February 1990, Recalling also General Assembly resolutions 42/124 of 7 December 1987, 43/134 of 8 December 1988, 44/143 of 15 December 1989 and 45/144 of 14 December 1990, adopted without a vote, in which the Assembly expressed its profound outrage at evidence of detention, torture and inhuman treatment of children in South Africa, Recalling the relevant provisions of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Being Subjected to Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989, Having examined the report of the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on Southern Africa (E/CN.4/1991/10) as well as the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/1991/9), Having taken note of the policy pronouncements of President F.W. De Klerk on 2 February 1990 and 1 February 1991, Gravely concerned about reports of the continuing evidence that children in South Africa are subjected to detention, torture and inhuman treatment, Reiterating its position that apartheid is repugnant, immoral and constitutes an affront to human dignity,1. Reiterates its vigorous condemnation of the detention, torture and inhuman treatment of children in South Africa;
2. Demands that South Africa lift forthwith the restrictions imposed on children, particularly those released from detention, and ensure their basic and legitimate freedoms of movement, association and education;
3. Also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all children still held in detention;
4. Further demands the immediate, total and effective implementation of the political measures announced in the policy pronouncements of President De Klerk on 2 February 1990 and 1 February 1991;
5. Appeals to the international community to maintain all forms of measures to bring pressure to bear upon the Government of South Africa in order to achieve a profound and irreversible change to eradicate the policy of apartheid and the inhuman practices associated with this policy;
6. Requests the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on Southern Africa to pay special attention to the question of detention, torture and other inhuman treatment of children in South Africa and report to the Commission on Human Rights at its forty-eighth session;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to provide every assistance to enable the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts to discharge its responsibilities in accordance with the relevant provisions of the present resolution;
8. Also requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of the relevant United Nations organs, the specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations;
9. Further requests all relevant United Nations organs, the specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to launch a world-wide campaign aimed at drawing attention to monitoring and exposing the inhuman practices associated with the policy of apartheid and targeted on children;
10. Decides to discuss the question of detention, torture and other inhuman treatment of children in South Africa at its forty-eighth session under the agenda item "Violations of human rights in South Africa: report of the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts".
38th meeting22 February 1991
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. V.]
