CIIR

salvo against apartheid
THE THORNY problem of South Africa and the Commonwealth Games, which opened this week, is highlighted in a new pamphlet from
the Catholic Institute for International Relations.•
A At-angle over the Gleneagles
Agreement, which binds Commonwealth governments to strive to prevent sporting links with South Africa, could lead to any nation which competes with South Africa being expelled from the Games.
CIIR outlines the history of opposition to apartheid in sport and conclude that there is no justification for sporting links with South Africa so long as apartheid remains.
They answer those who say that South Africa has been selectively penalised by pointing out that "South Africa is the only country officially to organise sport along racial lines."
The reason why, for example, Soviet and Argentine sportsmen and associations have not been isolated says CIIR. is because the repression in those countries does not discriminate between sportsmen as it does in South Africa. "The principle is clear: the tradition of sport does not accept racial barriers" CIIR says.
CIIR strongly criticised the "close ties between the International Rugby Board and the South African Government". calling it "the most vociferous champion" of the "rights" of a few white athletes above those of 80 per cent of the South African population, namely the blacks.
CIIR also draws attention to South Africa's "multinational" sport policy. They call it "essentially a system which enables the state to grant exemptions from apartheid laws.
The laws remain: clubs and sports associations must seek government permission by licence to organise racially mixed fixtures." They comment: "The suspension of apartheid laws for the duration of sporting events, and their enforcement before and after, make a mockery of the spirit of sport."
CIIR says the claim that sport "builds bridges" across political divides is "a myth". They point out that during President Reagan's recent overtures of friendship. the South African government expanded repression in the country.
"To lift the boycott, in the words of the Roman Catholic Bishops' 1981 statement, would be to sacrifice one of the few peaceful levers for general change in South African society" says the pamphlet.
*Sport and Apartheid. CIIR. 22 Coleman Fields. London N1 7AF. Price 45p including postage. Free to members.