School of Social and Political Science

Description

The Centre of African Studies in collaboration with PIR Middle East Research Group is delighted to welcome you to the following panel discussion:

'South Africa, Apartheid, and Lessons for the World'

“Apartheid” – from the Afrikaans for ‘separateness’ – was the name given to the regime of racial segregation in South Africa from 1948 until democratic rule thirty years ago. Apartheid governed far more than what neighbourhoods or jobs you could have—it reached into the inner confines of domestic lives and structured spectacular violence. Yet the racial segregation of South African apartheid was not sui generis.

 First, its architects learned from global models, including Jim Crow in the US South. Second, international law came to characterise apartheid as a crime, both in the 1965 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the 1973 Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid. 

Today, these histories and conventions are called upon by international movements against racial segregation, including in Palestine and Israel. In recent decades, human rights organisations have characterised Israeli governance as a violation of the Apartheid Convention and, in July 2024, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion finding against Israel. 

This panel discussion brings together experts in human rights, international law, and advocacy to highlight the relevance of South Africa’s history – as well as contemporary diplomatic and legal movements – to explore the transnational lessons it holds.

When: Wednesday 18th September 2024 (3.30pm-5pm) BST

Where: F.21 7 George Square

Format: In-person only