Freedom Day," a day of internationel solidarity with South African political prisoners,
The form that this will take will be determined by different committees the world over, according to the January issue of Anti- Apartheid News.
It is suggested that the campaign start immediately around the following demands:
. (1) A reliable inspecting body should be- allowed to visit political prisoners at regular intervals of three months, -
(2) That political prisoners be given suitable work during which they will work together and be allowed to taik to one another,
(3) That exercise periods be extended and: held in the open air where they can talk to one another, _ . (4) That political prisoners should be moved out of category np, within a specified and strictly limited period, or preferably
*There are four grades of prisoners in South Africa: "a," "B," "c," "Di" Virtually no privileges are allowed prisoners placed in "D, n? the lowest category. They are permitted only one letter and one visit every six months. Political prisoners are automatically graded as "D' and there appear to be no chances of escaping from it, even with good conduct. Minister of Justice Vorster makes no secret of
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that they should not be placed in this category at all.
_ (5) That political prisoners be granted remission of their sentence on the same basis as other prisoners.
Declarations in support of these or other demands in behalf of the political prisoners in South Africa should be sent to: Minister of Justice, House of Assembly, Cape Town.
The plan is to bring the campaign to a climax on June 26 with actions to ensure maximum publicity everywhere. .
Anti-Apartheid News calls special attention to recommendation made by the United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid in its latest report (issued on December 8, 1964). The recommendation is that an International Commission composed of eminent jurists and prison officials be set up to investigate charges of torture and ill-treatment of prisoners in South Africa,
The Commission, says the report, should be authorised to investigate the affidavits by former prisoners, interview present . and former prisonérs and look into the conditions in the prisons, and report as soon as possible. If the recommendation of the Special Committee is adopted by the United Nations, South Africa will be asked to provide facilities for the investigation.
CHRISTOPHE