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Document 14 - Resolution by the Conference for a Democratic Future on negotiations
and the Constituent Assembly
8 December 1989
WE, THE 4 600 delegates to this historic Conference for a Democratic
Future of the broad anti-apartheid liberation forces:
1. Salute the fighting forces of our people who have conducted
armed struggle, in view of the situation in which all peaceful
avenues have been closed.
Noting that:
1. Organisations of the people remain banned, restricted and prevented
from operating freely and hundreds of key individuals remain restricted.
2. Freedom of assembly, movement, association and speech and free
political activity do not exist, thus making consultations with
our people difficult, if not impossible.
3. Repression in many forms continues, including detention without
trial, political imprisonment, political trials, and the state
of emergency and suppression of the media.
4. The government totally controls radio and television.
5. All major blocks which constitute and sustain the apartheid
system remain intact.
Believing:
1. That there can be no solution in the interests of the oppressed
and exploited masses whilst apartheid structures and its laws still
exist,
2. That the basis and climate for genuine negotiations do not exist
and that De Klerk's proposals for negotiations, supported by the
imperialists, are designed to enmesh our organisations and people
in schemes to maintain the status quo.
Realising:
1. Our immediate tasks are to strive for: One-person one vote in
a united democratic country; lifting of the State of Emergency;
unconditional release all political prisoners; unbanning of all
banned organisations.
2. The abolition of all laws which inhibit free speech, press,
association and assembly; a living wage; the right to work.
3. That the demand for a Constituent Assembly of the oppressed
and exploited is in opposition to all attempts of the regime to
divide us in the name of 'power sharing', 'group rights' and negotiated
settlement.
Thereby Resolves:
1. To adopt the Harare Declaration on how the conflict in SA could
be resolved and the solidarity and support of the Organisation
of African Unity and the Frontline states in particular.
2. To call for a Constituent Assembly established on a non-racial
basis representing all the people of SA to draw up a New Constitution
for our country.
3. To call on our people and organisations to mobilise our forces
to organise and intensify the struggle for the creation of a single
non-racial democratic SA with a single parliament and a single
universal suffrage.
4. To call on the international community to intensify the isolation
of the SA regime and to impose comprehensive and mandatory sanctions.
5. That real democracy be given to the freely elected delegates
of the people, united in the Constituent Assembly on the basis
of one person one vote in a unitary South Africa.
6. Only the constituent assembly has the right and duty to define
a new constitution as well as the form and social content of a
new and just society.
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