United Nations, Terrorism and Revolutionary Violence - A View From South Africa (From Terrorism, Political Violence and World Order, P 611-618, 1984, Henry H Han, ed. - See NCJ-98738)

• NCJ Number: 98752
• Author(s): D Steward
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: University Press of America
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Although the United Nations Charter condemns aggression in international relations, its exception to this rule in the case of so-called 'wars of national liberation' invites the terrorism and anarchy increasingly observed in international affairs.

Abstract

The rationalization of violence in 'wars of national liberation' contained in United Nations documents has led to the open advocation of armed aggression against South Africa in numerous United Nations resolutions. Resolution 36/172 of December 17, 1981, for example, commends the ANC 'for intensifying the armed struggle against the racist regime' and reaffirms the legitimacy of the struggle of the people of South Africa 'by all available means, including armed struggle, for the seizure of power by the people ...' Such resolutions have in turn been the basis for channeling over $25 million annually to groups committed to armed aggression against the South African regime. Every nation or group engaged in violence for a political cause rationalizes such aggression as being necessary for its liberation. Until the United Nations bans the use of violence across all international borders at all times and in all circumstances (except in cases of self-defense), it can only foster the growing use of terrorism and violence as methods for attaining political goals. Sixteen footnotes are provided.