3528

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

against humanity, and is offensive to the basic values and
principles of civilization; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, a leader of the South
African people, has been imprisoned for the past 23 years for his
opposition to apartheid; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mandela symbolizes the determination of his
people to eradicate apartheid and to establish a united,
nonracial and democratic South Africa; and

WHEREAS, Numerous governments, including the United States,
as well as the United Nations, have called for the immediate and
unconditional release of Nelson Mandela; and

WHEREAS, There are thousands of other South Africans

currently in prison for their oppositiogovernments, including the
United States, as well as the United Nations, have called for the
immediate and unconditional release of Nelson Mandela; and

WHEREAS, There are thousands of other South Africans

currently in prison for their oppositiogovernments, including the
United States, as well as the United Nations, have called for the
immediate and unconditional release of Nelson Mandela; and

WHEREAS, There are thousands of other South Africans

currently in prison imprisoned without due process of law for
their opposition to apartheid; and

WHEREAS, The release of Nelson Mandela and all other
political prisoners and detainees is essential to the prompt
solution of the continued suppression of legal and human rights
in South Africa; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
government of South Africa is requested to immediately and
unconditionally release Nelson Mandela and all other South
African political prisoners and detainees; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the General Assembly of Maryland recognizes
that the government of South Africa may attach reasonable
conditions to the release of Mr. Mandela, such as his pledge not
to return resort to acts of violence, treason, or sedition upon
his release; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be forwarded by the
Department of Legislative Reference to President P. W. Botha,
Office of the State President, Private Bag X83, Pretoria, 001
South Africa; and the Honorable Ronald Reagan, President of the
United States, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20500.

Signed May 13, 1986.