Europe
The European Economic Community (EEC) formed an important role-player on the South Africa ‘scene’ since national governments of the members had to follow the political and economic policies of the Community. Several organisations were formed to work at EEC level to advance the anti-apartheid struggle on the continent.
Anti-Apartheid Organisations/People
Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA)
The Association of West-European Parliamentarians for Action against Apartheid (AWEPAA) started in 1984 to mobilise politicians in European parliaments in the struggle against apartheid. The organisation grew fast; from a small group of members in 16 national parliaments and in the European Parliament in September 1985, to some 1000 members in the early 1990s. Parliamentarians worked for effective sanction policies, they monitored the implementation and they sought to hold governments accountable for their policies. It continues to operate as the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA).
AWEPA works in cooperation with African Parliaments to strengthen parliamentary democracy in Africa, to keep Africa high on the political agenda in Europe and to facilitate African-European Parliamentary dialogue.
AWEPA's overall objective is to support the realisation of human rights and development in Africa via strengthening democratic institutions.
With the help of parliamentarians and elected officials worldwide, AWEPA actively supports human resource development and institutional capacity building within parliaments made up of decentralised authorities.
AWEPA concentrates on:
- The key role of parliaments in facilitating democracy, human rights, peaceful conflict management, poverty reduction and sustainable development
- The attainment of gender equality at all levels of political decision-making
- The common interests of African-European parliamentarians
- Building parliamentary networks and experience sharing at national, regional and inter-regional levels.
It aims to achieve this objective by promoting:
- Parliamentary competency and authority
- Good governance based on separation of powers
- Increased participation of women in decision-making (increased participation)
- Participation of civil society in the political process
- Independent and qualified media.
The bulk of the archives are held by the organisation.
The UWC/RIM Mayibuye Archives holds a small collection with papers and publications covering the period 1985-1994.
http://www.robben-island.org.za
The archives of the European Union also contain materials related to AWEPAA. http://www.iue.it
Many European AAMs have materials concerning AWEPAA within their own archives.
Liaison Group of Anti-Apartheid Movements within the European Community
The Liaison Group was formed in 1972 and continued to work till 1988 to lobby the European Parliament and Council of Ministers. It was an affiliation of the main European AAMs.
There is no central archive for this organisation. The affiliated AAMs have papers from the Liaison Group within their archives. See the individual archives.
The archives of the European Union also contain materials related to the Liaison Group.
The UWC/RIM Mayibuye Archives holds a collection of papers of the organisation covering the period 1985-1995.
http://www.robben-island.org.za
South Africa / Namibia Association (SANAM)
The South Africa/Namibia Association was founded in 1986 and worked till 1993 to co-ordinate development projects in South Africa and Namibia. In South Africa, most funds went to the Kagiso Trust. The funds mainly came from its members; European NGOs and anti-apartheid organisations as well as from the European Special Programme for Victims of Apartheid (ESP).
The International Institute for Social History, Amsterdam, has a substantial archive covering the period 1988-1992. It contains minutes, correspondence and project files of the Kagiso Trust
Other Organisations/People
European Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ECFTU)
The ECFTU was founded in 1973 and continued the work of the European Regional Organisation of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and several other forerunners. It was active in the area of code of conduct for companies investing in South Africa, the conduct of national and international trade unions towards South Africa and the application of the European Community Code of Conduct for multinational companies. The organisation continues as European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
The IISH holds the complete archive covering the period 1939-1997.
European Economic Community (EEC)
The European Economic Community was established in 1957 as a customs union towards the unification of Europe. Since 1993 it operates as the European Union - a political and economic union of European countries. The EEC was important with respect to sanctions against South Africa. The organisation was a ‘rallying point’ for European anti-apartheid organisations to act against South Africa. Amongst other, it imposed a ban on trade and investments by member states in 1986.
The archives of the EEC are held by the EC.
Resources
EU Archives and Library
The archives and library of the EU holds many materials, not only dealing with the EEC’s position on apartheid but also many national and international AAMs.
