What were the key international conferences and events related to the Anti-Apartheid Movement?

The Anti-Apartheid Movement was a global campaign against the apartheid regime in South Africa, which lasted from 1948 to 1994. Throughout this period, several key international conferences and events played a crucial role in raising awareness, mobilizing support, and pressuring the South African government to dismantle apartheid. Here are some of the most significant conferences and events related to the Anti-Apartheid Movement:

1. The World Campaign Against Military and Nuclear Collaboration with South Africa (1963): This conference, held in London, aimed to expose and condemn the collaboration between various countries and South Africa in the military and nuclear sectors. It highlighted the complicity of these nations in supporting the apartheid regime and called for an end to such collaborations.

2. The United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid (1963): The UN established this committee to coordinate international efforts against apartheid. It organized numerous conferences, campaigns, and events to raise awareness about the injustices of apartheid and to advocate for its eradication.

3. The International Conference on Sanctions against South Africa (1964): Held in London, this conference focused on the implementation of economic and political sanctions against South Africa. It aimed to isolate the apartheid regime and put pressure on the international community to sever ties with the South African government.

4. The Soweto Uprising (1976): Although not a conference, the Soweto Uprising was a pivotal event in the Anti-Apartheid Movement. It began as a student protest against the compulsory use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools but quickly escalated into a broader resistance against apartheid. The brutal response of the South African security forces drew international attention and condemnation, further galvanizing the global anti-apartheid movement.

5. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1761 (1962): This resolution declared apartheid a crime against humanity and called on member states to impose comprehensive sanctions against South Africa. It marked a significant turning point in international condemnation of apartheid and provided a legal framework for subsequent actions against the regime.

6. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) (1986): Held in London, this meeting saw a significant shift in the stance of the Commonwealth countries towards apartheid. The member states adopted a declaration calling for the complete isolation of South Africa and the imposition of comprehensive sanctions.

7. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 435 (1978): This resolution proposed a plan for the independence of Namibia (then under South African control) and the withdrawal of South African forces from the territory. It highlighted the interconnectedness of the anti-apartheid struggle with the broader fight against colonialism and imperialism in Southern Africa.

These conferences and events, among many others, played a crucial role in mobilizing international support, raising awareness, and pressuring the apartheid regime to dismantle its discriminatory policies. They demonstrated the global solidarity with the oppressed majority in South Africa and contributed to the eventual end of apartheid in 1994.