1919

Race Equality

We believe no human being should be deprived of an education, prevented from earning a living, debarred from any legitimate pursuit in which he wishes to engage, or be subjected to any humiliation, on account of race or colour.  We recommend that members of this Congress should do everything in their power to abrogate laws and change customs which lead to discrimination against human beings on account of race or colour.

1953

Race Relations in South Africa

The XII International Congress of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom meeting in Paris, August 4-8th, 1953,
           
Deeply regrets the decision of the Government of the Union of South Africa refusing admission to the United nations Commission of Three charged by the General Assembly to study the racial situation in South Africa in the light and principles of the Charter of the United Nations;
           
And in view of these circumstances is glad to note t hat the Commission accepts testimony, written or oral, by representatives of Governments of Member States of the United Nations; of Non-Governmental Organizations and also by private individuals.

Against Racism

The XII International Congress of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom meeting in Paris, August 4-8th, 1953,
           
States that, since its foundation in 1915 the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom has united women of many countries without discrimination of race.
           
It has fully approved the formal condemnation by the United Nations of the crime of Genocide and has studied with satisfaction the work of UNESCO on the subject of race and its conclusive condemnation of racism.
           
It welcomes every step taken, legal, social, educational and spiritual, to remove the disabilities resulting from race discrimination; but is distressed to see that racial discrimination is still practiced in numerous regions of the world.
           
The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom protests energetically against such practices which are unworthy of any civilized society, and is critical of Governments which not only do not repudiate the false theories which seek to justify such practices but even base their politics upon them.
           
The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom recalls to the States Members who have adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that it is their duty to ensure respect for the principles of the Declaration which imply absolute condemnation of all discrimination.

1977

Apartheid / Southern Africa

WILPF considers that among the most crucial tasks today is the elimination of racism and the racism domination of peoples, particularly in South Africa, Namibia and Southern Rhodesia.
           
The racist politics in South Africa and Southern Rhodesia, and the illegal occupation of Namibia by the Republic of South Africa constitute a grave danger to world peace.
WILPF fully supports the United Nations in its condemnation of the governments of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia and its call for a total isolation of these two racist regimes.
           
The 20th Congress of WILPF calls on all WILPF members and national sections to press their governments to comply with the decisions of the United Nations.
           
It urges its members to study the "Program of Action against Apartheid " adopted by the UN General Assembly on 9 November 1976 (Annex to Resolution 31/6) and to assist in every way its implementation. The 20th Congress of WILPF further calls on the Security Council to declare mandatory sanctions against South Africa and for the total application by all governments of such sanctions.

(See also the IEC resolution of July 1976)

1985

SOUTH AFRICA

1.  In carrying out WILPF’s program in support of the liberation struggle in South Africa, the aims and principles of WILPF for change by non-violent means should be kept in mind. The Executive Committee reiterated the statement adopted bythe18th International Congress held in New Delhi, India, 1970/71.  It reads: 

“A society that is military and exploitative generates movements for rapid change towards social justice.  It is a human right to resist injustice and to be neither silent witness nor passive victim of repression.  Although we reaffirm our belief that violence creates more problems than it solves, we recognize the inevitability of violent resistance by the oppressed when other alternatives have failed.

“The WILPF has a duty to study and work towards developing methods for the effective use of non-violent means; to make the public aware of the problems of the oppressed and the exploited; to analyze the structure of power in society and the use made of it; to engage ourselves actively in no-violent moments for change.”

2.  Alarmed by Prime Minister Botha’s speech to the National Congress on15 August 1985, confirming that the South African regime has no intention to dismantle apartheid,

Considering that the situation in South Africa constitutes a great threat to world peace,

The WILPF Executive Committee, meeting at Munich, 19-23 August 1985, urges all governments to take urgent measures to isolate South Africa by an international campaign.

This campaign implies:

- protesting any collaboration in the field of nuclear technology and the representation of South Africa on the International Atomic Energy Agency Committee;
- an effective implementation of the UN embargo on arms sales to South Africa;
- economic sanctions, including divestment by existing industries and banks, while ensuring that other countries do not fill the gaps, e.g. FRG and Japan;
- a complete boycott of trade and transport with South Africa;
- withdrawal of all diplomatic representatives;
-severing of all cultural and sporting contacts;
- the lifting of the State of Emergency and entering into dialogue with the true representatives of the majority of the people
- diplomatic recognition should be accorded to the African National Congress
- pressuring the Reagan Administration to abandon its “constructive engagement” policy immediately;

Recommendation to WILPF Sections

Each section should urge their government to implement measures proposed in the WILPF resolution on South Africa.  They should work with Anti-Apartheid movement in their country, mobilizing public opinion by publicizing and making known widely the Freedom Charter of South Africa and by all other possible measures.  WILPF welcomes the establishment of the United Democratic Front in South Africa.

1992

Racism

The 26th International WILPF Congress defines racism as 'an international system of power that places one group superior and another inferior, based on colour' and mandates the International Executive Committee to establish a Working Group to:
• formulate policy to combat racism both within and outside WILPF;
• formulate an anti-racist and equal-opportunities WILPF policy which includes a clear definition of racism;
• recruit actively a multi-racial membership; and (d) network with multi-racial and anti-racist             organizations.

WILPF shall include its anti-racist and equal opportunities policy on all of its policy statement and confront all other forms of discrimination, internally and externally. WILPF shall pay special attention to the issue of racism in its relations with international and all other institutions and organizations.

1994

The New South Africa

WILPF hails the recent elections in South Africa as the first step towards true democracy and development in that country, and a move towards stabilization of the entire region. Democracy depends on full and equal participation of all parts of the population in all areas of political, economic, social and cultural life. This means participation by all racial groups in South Africa, but it also means participation of women of all racial groups as well.  A women's Charter, drafted and endorsed by ninety-two South African women's groups stressed that women face social, economic, and ideological barriers to full and equal participation in the economy. Any plan of action addressing the social and economic development needs of post-apartheid South Africa must include the needs and concerns of women paid and unpaid workers.

Peace is the main prerequisite for democratization of a post-apartheid South Africa and for the whole southern Africa region. The international community should take responsibility for assisting in this transformation and in promoting responsible investment according to the Code of Conduct published by the South African Council of Churches.  As an NGO the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom will continue to support and learn from the people of South Africa in this important historical period.