Apartheid

Abstract

Abstract The South African regime of white supremacy was central to United Nations activity on racial discrimination, and in the area of human rights more generally, for more than four decades. Initially, South Africa and its supporters argued that this was a domestic matter outside the authority of the United Nations. Quickly, such a conservative interpretation of the Charter was rejected. In 1952 the General Assembly authorized a commission of inquiry into the apartheid regime. Over time, United Nations organs adopted a range of measures directed at South Africa. These were promoted by countries of the Global South and, for many years, opposed by those of the North. The developed countries resisted imposition of mandatory sanctions. The Special Committee against Apartheid was at the centre of United Nations activities.