In a statement today, the Chairman of the Special Committee said: "I am shocked at the news that Abram (Bram) Fischer is seriously ill in prison in South Africa. Bram Fischer, a prominent Afrikaner jurist, has devoted many years of his life to the struggle for freedom and equality in South Africa. He has earned the respect of the oppressed people of South Africa and all opponents of racism because of his steadfastness and courage. On the other hand, he has provoked the bitter enmity of the South African regime which has not only sentenced him to life imprisonment in 1966 under its notorious repressive laws, but has been vengeful in its treatment of this courageous man in prison. Despite the serious illness and the appeals of many South Africans, it has not released him and has even restricted visits by his family to the hospital. I have today sent urgent appeals to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and to the Secretary-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross, requesting them to use their good offices to secure the release of Bram Fischer. I also urgently appeal to all Governments and organisations to take all appropriate action towards that end."In his letter to Secretary-General Waldheim, Mr. Ogbu stated that, according to South African press reports, Mr. Fischer was suffering from cancer and was "very weak, frail and in great pain". The letter went on to say that Mr. Fischer had been on crutches for two months. "Members of his family were allowed to visit him at the hospital where he is now confined, but new orders were issued on 6 December that there could only be two visits a week", the letter stated.
Mr. Fischer, who is now 66 years old, is a prominent jurist from a well-known Afrikaner family of South Africa. His grandfather was Prime Minister of the Orange River Colony and his father was Judge President of the Free State.
"He dedicated himself to the struggle for a non-racial and democratic society in South Africa and fully associated himself with the liberation movement. He defended numerous persons accused under discriminatory and repressive laws. He was the defence counsel in the 'Treason Trial' of 1956-1961 in which 156 leaders of the Black people and other opponents of racism were charged. He was the chief defence counsel in the 'Rivonia Trial' of 1963-1964 in which leaders of the African National Congress and their allies were charged. Shortly after the conclusion of the 'Rivonia Trial', which was condemned by the United Nations and world opinion, he himself was charged with various political offences under the notorious repressive laws of South Africa, and convicted to life imprisonment. The Special Committee against Apartheid has condemned the persecution of Mr. Fischer and has repeatedly called for his release. The incarceration of this courageous and respected advocate of freedom and equality, and the callous and vengeful treatment to which he has been subjected in prison, constitute a terrible indictment of the apartheid regime. As Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid, I have the honour to request you urgently to use all your influence to secure the immediate release of Mr. Fischer so that he can spend the last days of his life in freedom."
Advocate Abram Fischer, Q.C. was detained in 1964 and was the main accused in a trial of 13 men and women in Johannesburg on charges of being members or supporters of the Communist Party. On January 22, 1965, he announced that he had chosen to forfeit his bail and leave his home in order to continue the liberation struggle from underground. This message was sent by him from "somewhere in South Africa".
Source: ANC; SACP
