Resolution Number: 1991-A154
Title: Call on Congress to Reinstate Sanctions Against South Africa
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Substituted and Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 70th General Convention of the Episcopal Church call upon the President and the Congress of the United States to reinstate comprehensive sanctions against South Africa until the Church of the Province of Southern Africa and the South African Council of Churches advise that the process for ending apartheid is irreversible, with at least the following conditions having been met:

  1. All political prisoners have been released;
  2. A Constituent Assembly is established;
  3. Sovereign power is removed from the existing apartheid legislative structure and invested either in the Constituent Assembly or another interim structure acceptable to the Church of the Province of Southern Africa and the South African Council of Churches;
  4. The white minority cannot legally reverse or veto the process of change through the present unrepresentative legislative structures;

and be it further

Resolved, That this 70th General Convention recognize the important responsibility of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to insure protection and to monitor the voluntary return of South African exiles; and be it further

Resolved, That the United States Government strongly urge the South African Government to collaborate fully with the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in order to ensure that full amnesty and other rights and privileges of repatriation are accorded all returning South African exiles; and be it further

Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief and Episcopal Migration Ministries be urged to support within existing resources and facilitate the work of the National Coordinating Commission for the Repatriations of South African Exiles established by the South African Council of Churches; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent immediately and urgently to the President and to Members of Congress of the United States, the Church of the Province of Southern Africa, the South African Council of Churches, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Phoenix, 1991 (New York: General Convention, 1992), p. 368.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Peace
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Problems

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(A154)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the General Convention of the Episcopal Church call upon our Church to maintain its support for comprehensive sanctions against the government of South Africa until the Church of the Province of Southern Africa and the South African Council of Churches call for their lifting.

Proposed Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 70th General Convention of the Episcopal Church call upon the President and the Congress of the United States to reinstate comprehensive sanctions against South Africa until the Church of the Province of Southern Africa and the South African Council of Churches advise that the process for ending apartheid is irreversible, with at least the following conditions having been met:

  1. all political prisoners have been released;
  2. a constituent Assembly is established;
  3. sovereign power is removed from the existing apartheid legislative structure and invested either in the Constituent Assembly or another interim structure acceptable to the Church of the Province of Southern Africa and the South African Council of Churches; and
  4. the white minority cannot legally reverse or veto the process of change through the present unrepresentative legislative structures; and be it further

Resolved, That this 70th General Convention recognize the important responsibility of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to insure protection and to monitor the voluntary return of South African exiles; and be it further

Resolved, That the U.S. Government should encourage the South African Government to collaborate fully with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in order that they may carry out their responsibilities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief and Episcopal Migration Ministries be urged to support within existing resources and facilitate the work of the National Coordinating Commission for the Repatriations of South African Exiles established by the South African Council of Churches; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent immediately and urgently to the President and to Members of Congress of the United States, the Church of the Province of Southern Africa, the South African Council of Churches, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Deputy Washington of Missouri moved an amendment to the Substitute to A154.

Proposed Amendment:

In the third resolve, after the words "U.S. Government," add the words "strongly urge" and strike the words "should encourage."

[In the third resolve] after the words "for Refugees (HNHCR) in order," add the words "to ensure that full amnesty and other rights and privileges of repatriation are accorded all returning South African exiles" and strike the words "that they may carry out their responsibilities."

Motion carried

Washington amendment adopted

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the amended substitute to A154.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted, with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #239)

House of Bishops

The Committee on National and International Problems presented its Report #56 on House of Deputies Message #239 on Resolution A154s (Ongoing Support for Sanctions) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #336)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 20.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Peace, Reports to the 70th General Convention, 1991, pp. 394-431.
Abstract:   The 70th General Convention calls on the President and Congress of the United States to reinstate comprehensive sanctions against South Africa until certain conditions have been met.